Last Place Update - March 11

Welcome to this week's Last Place Update. And the push has begun...

   The 13-50 Charlotte Bobcats have made a move to defend their title as Kings of the Cellar by increasing their lead over the improving 18-46 Orlando Magic by 4.5 games and by 7.5 games over the 20-41 Washington Wizards. Since the last update, Charlotte has had three straight 0-fer weeks by going 0-3. The Bobcats have lost ten straight and are 4-20 since January 19. All of their last ten losses were by more than ten points. The Magic has a respectable week, going 2-2, as did the Wizards.

   This week's honorable mention goes to the 23-39 Philadelphia 76ers. They are playing like their 1973 counterparts by going 1-9 in their last ten games and 2-13 since February 6. They lost their last four games by at least eight points. The 76ers have a homestand this week. They host the Brooklyn Nets tonight, the Miami Heat on Wednesday, and the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. This has all the makings of an 0-fer week, but Philadelphia should get a win and maybe even possibly pulling an upset on the Heat. If they play well, the 76ers should go 1-2.

Next Losses...

   Charlotte starts the week at home by hosting the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. They finish the week on the road by going to Toronto on Wednesday to play the Raptors and to Boston for a rematch against the Celtics. Can you say 13 game losing streak?

   Orlando hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and finish the week on the road. They travel to Oklahoma City on Friday to play the Thunder and to Milwaukee on Sunday to play the Bucks. They Magic should win one of these games and could pull off an upset and win two.

   Washington starts the week on the road by going to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers on Tuesday. This game could take the once Kings of the Cellar leading Wizards off the Update's radar and Cleveland back on it. The end the week at home by hosting the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, the New Orleans Hornets on Friday, and the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. The Wizards should win at least one game, but will likely go 2-2 again.

Other Stuff...

   The Weber State Lady Wildcats completed their season 0-fer by going 0-29. Maybe next year.

   Grambling State also pulled off their season long 0-fer by going 0-27. They face Alabama A&M in the SWAC Tournament this week. They should end their season at one and done.

  On March 12, 1987, my University of New Orleans Privateers won their only NCAA Tournament game against the BYU Cougars 83-79. Two days later, the Alabama Crimson Tide made 73 percent of their shots and spanked my Bucs 101-76. UNO finished the 1987 season at 26-4. UNO guard Ledell Eackles and forward Ronnie Grandison went on to play in the NBA.

   With the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, we are entering the best part of the college basketball season. So here's a little all-time season trivia: The Duke Blue Devils all-time record is 1998-838. Coach Mike Krzyzewski is 881-236 and has more wins than the next four best Duke coaches combined. Duke is 79-24 in the NCAA Tournament on Coach K's watch and he has more postseason wins and national championships than all of his predecessors combined.

Have a great day!!!