Cameron Krutwig and Loyola-Chicago are tearing up NCAA Tournament (Photo: NCAA)

By BUNKY McCOY

• How’s your bracket looking this Monday morning, Bunky? If you’re like millions across the country, it’s probably been crumpled up and tossed into the nearest dumpster.
• As far as I’m concerned, any NCAA Tournament that includes Sister Jean as part of the second weekend is a good thing.
• Remember when the Friars beat Villanova and Creighton? Now the Wildcats and Bluejays are off to the Sweet 16.
• Rick Pitino says he packed eight suits for the NCAA Tournament. Turns out he only needed one. Here’s the bright side: At least he saved money on the dry cleaning.

• Did it really take a social media post by an Oregon women’s basketball player for the NCAA to wake up and smell the Folgers? Yes, upgrades were made to the weight room in no time flat, but it shouldn’t have been an issue in the first place.
• He may not know a Rambler from a Golden Eagle, but Charles Barkley on CBS/TNT/TBS does make me laugh.

• LINE OF THE WEEK: Looking back five years ago when the NCAA Tournament visited the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and former Providence Journal sports columnist Jim Donaldson asked how Yale was able to outrebound Baylor. Bear’s big man Taurean Prince answered: “You go up and grab the ball off the rim when it comes off, and then you grab it with two hands, then you come down with it, and that’s considered a rebound. So they got more of those than we did.”
• Few things make my eyes glaze over more than salary stories. I mean, it’s not like we need to organize a bake sale for guys who make millions and seemingly have everything at their disposal.
• That being said, the spending spree that Bill Belichick and the Patriots went on during the opening days of NFL free agency should help to quiet a fanbase that’s still celebrating Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl – for another team.

• Guess we know how the conversation went between the Hoodie and Robert Kraft. Can I spend and spend some more? You bet, Bill.
• QUIZ OF THE WEEK: Who’s the highest-paid player on this year’s Red Sox squad? (Answer near the bottom of the column).
• The Red Sox are going to miss Jackie Bradley Jr.

• Speaking of the Sox, J.D. Martinez needs to bounce back from an awful 2020 season if Boston is going to have any shot at contending for a playoff spot.
• Jim Fleming for R.I. Lieutenant Governor? The URI football team is off to a 2-0 start with O.T. wins coming on the road against nationally-ranked teams.
• There’s no truth to the rumor that Life Alert is sending a few emergency systems to President Biden after his stumble up the stairs to get on Air Force One.
• I would try to keep James White if I were the Pats, but that’s just me.
• If you don’t know what Tik Tok is, Bunky, you’re already late to the party.
• In case you haven’t been paying attention, Opening Day for the Red Sox is now 10 days away.
• The news that Boston College named a new men’s basketball head coach made the inside page of the next day’s Boston Globe Sports section. Which is better than not at all, if you’re keeping score at home.
• Has Brad Stevens lost control of the Celtics?
• Smart move on the part of the Friars’ Nate Watson to return for a fifth year.

• Only four teams in NBA’s Eastern Conference own a record that’s better than .500. One of those teams isn’t the Celtics.
• I’ve never been one to put stock in spring training performances, but did you catch what Red Sox starter Martin Perez did on Saturday? In five innings, he walked five and gave up five runs on six hits.
• QUIZ ANSWER: Chris Sale at $30 million. He’s still on the injured list and probably won’t take the mound until the middle of the season – if then.
• High school football in Rhode Island returns later this week. Here’s hoping that everything goes smoothly.
• This column would have been longer, but I’ve officially entered the bracket witness protection program.