On the mark -- Give this much to Arizona forward Eugene Edgerson: He doesn't pull punches.
During Saturday's BYU-Arizona basketball game, he purposely knocked the Cougars' Bret Jepsen to the court, causing a concussion. The next day he issued a contrite apology. In neither case did he leave his intentions vague.To his credit, Edgerson didn't do a "Latrell Sprewell" or a "Marv Albert." He actually admitted guilt. In his Sunday statement he didn't say "If I in any way offended anyone . . . blah . . . blah . . . blah . . . " He simply acknowledged letting his emotions take over, adding that he "humiliated" himself.
Although the incident was deplorable, at least Edgerson came clean -- which, in the sports world of the late 90s, is something worth noting.
Show stopper -- All shook up about the NBA lockout? Neither are the Utah Grizzlies.
Utah's pro hockey team is taking full advantage by promoting its lower prices and unspoiled players. The Grizz even recruited John Stockton to drive the zamboni.
Some college basketball teams are planning promotions, centered around attracting displaced and disgruntled NBA fans.
But the cannibalizing reached a new level last week when Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra ran an ad in Salt Lake papers declaring, "It's not the NBA. But it's the hottest show in town." It continued: "Miss the excitement of the NBA? Come see America's favorite female pianist."
OK, I'm there. But not unless she promises to trash talk during the performance and complain about her salary.
Sightseeing -- The Utes showed their stuff in the Maui Classic last week, finishing with a 2-1 record against good competition. But there was some other stuff I could have done without. For instance, seeing Rick Majerus spill momentarily out of his Hawaiian shirt.
Which brings up a point: The critics are right. There IS too much skin on TV.
Expanding interest -- Speaking of big guys and skin, was anyone watching ESPN last week when they aired the sumo wrestling competition? One American weighed more than 600 pounds -- and lost anyway.
Announcers said the sport is rapidly growing worldwide.
That's easy to understand. What other sport can you weigh 600 pounds, walk around in your underwear and be considered a top class athlete? Besides boxing, I mean.
Rolling back -- So roller hockey is back. Reports say the sport that spawned the Salt Lake Rollerbees is returning to Utah. The team is thinking of calling itself the Utah Sun Dogs, or Sun Dogzz.
Given the fate of the first roller hockey team in Utah, it might be better to call them the Temporariezz.
Reality check -- With the cancellation of the NBA's Christmas doubleheader, NBC says it will air "It's a Wonderful Life" instead.
Makes sense to me. Like George Bailey, NBA players could benefit from seeing how life would be had they never existed.