Michael Wing

Seeing outrage in some nyc media quarters over St. John's getting a 5 seed. I thought they could sneak onto the 4 line but keep in mind their best noncon win was over Baylor on a neutral court. They went 2-1 vs UConn but Big East was meh and their predictive metrics were in the 16/17 range. So it aligns pretty well with a 5 seed. I expected a 4 but would have been shocked at a 3. A quibble, perhaps, but hardly cause for outrage. Though I love the action!

In the wake of the newly released sidebar transcripts from the Karen Read trial, where it is now documented that Jen McCabe threatened witness Karina Kolikithas, we’re watching a very familiar pattern unfold. Instead of addressing what’s in the transcripts, attacks began. Within two days, women in direct communication with Jen selectively released old text messages from 2022 and 2023 (messages where Karina discussed John O’Keefe’s death and the surrounding events). Not full conversations. Not context. Just carefully curated snippets designed to paint a narrative that benefits Jen and her circle. Let’s not forget: in the earliest days of this case, the public was repeatedly told by the DA’s office and the media that there was video footage of the “accident.” Many of us believed it was a tragic mistake because that is what we were told. Except that critical video never materialized.. because it never existed. What matters even more is the behavioral pattern. We now have court documentation reflecting how Jen interacted with a well-liked witness when her testimony didn’t align with the preferred narrative. At the same time, Jen’s public image hasn’t deteriorated because of a “blogger” or former friends, it has suffered because of her own sworn testimony and conduct. When her reputation felt threatened, the response wasn’t transparency. It was retaliation. So the question becomes: hos many people need to share similar experiences before we acknowledge the pattern? Hos many times does the same playbook have to be used before it’s recognized for what it is?

As a kid delivering Newsday, I’d see Pitino, Mullin, Berry & Jackson on the back cover. 40 years later, Roger Rubin of Newsday writes about my St. John’s experience. Surreal. Beyond grateful to Coach Pitino for the opportunity to be a part of this team.

St. John's scored 92 pts vs Butler in 62 possessions. SJU's offensive efficiency of 147.3 pts per 100 possessions was the highest for any game of any team in the BE conf. Previous high was 147.0 for UConn against UMass Lowell. SJU is ranked 21st in KenPom. Of the top 21 ranked KenPom teams, SJU's 147.3 per 100 against Butler is the 2nd highest offensive efficiency game against a Power 5 opponent. The highest is Louisville with 153.0 per 100 against Pitt. Go Johnnies!!!!!!!

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Angry fringe loner demands perpetual attention, complains about manner in which it's bestowed.