THE sports world according to Fitz: ’Zona proved the
so-called experts wrongArizona doesn't deserve the credit it is getting for winning the national championship Monday.
The Wildcats deserve even MORE praise. What they did was absolutely unbelievable: beating Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky -- not to mention a strong Providence team -- down the NCAA Tournament stretch.
Knocking off Kansas, just about everyone's favorite to win the title, should have been Arizona's tourney highlight. But that huge upset just fueled its confidence.
And Arizona head coach Lute Olson -- who has often been labeled as a good recruiter, but lousy game coach -- sure put that opinion to rest.
Olson pulled off a miracle and it opened up some eyes to the fact that there is excellent college basketball being played out West. And not only at UCLA.
The Arizona victories, and Minnesota making it to the Final Four to a smaller degree, also give hope to many programs that don't have the huge recruiting power of a Kentucky or North Carolina.
It also shows how many great college players are still out there. And they don't have to wait until their junior or senior years to show off their immense talent if it is developed sensibly.
Rick Pitino and Kentucky should take a bow, as well. Those Wildcats lost a bunch of talented players to the NBA, but bounced back right into the Final Four.
RAINBOW RECRUITING: It looks as if UH head coach Riley Wallace realizes how important this upcoming recruiting class will be to the program, especially for next season.
To stand pat and just shoot for a big man and a few backups here and there would be foolish, despite last season's 21-8 record.
This isn't a knock on Micah Kroeger or Eric Ambrozich, two guys who contributed everything they had all season. But I see next year's team as having just two returning starters -- guards Alika Smith and Anthony Carter.
The other three spots should be wide-open for the good of the team, with Kroeger and Ambrozich obviously at an advantage because of their starting experience.
But the Rainbows still need to improve a lot between now and next season if they want to make the NCAA Tournament field -- and maybe win a few games after getting in.
ULTIMATE NONSENSE: Looks like the Dudley Do-Rights of the state Legislature are riding their high horses backward again.
There is no reason that Extreme Fighting should be banned in the state. It has a martial arts background and there are plenty of rules to prevent or diminish the chance of serious injury.
Plus, the fighters know what they're getting into once they get in the ring. That's more than the rest of us, who can't walk around downtown or Waikiki at night without the chance of getting beat up, or worse.
I have been to two local Extreme Fighting cards and they are no more dangerous than boxing or kickboxing -- or even football on some nights.
And it's an insult to the many local fans who have been paying good money to come out and watch. Here's another reason to lay off: A guy by the name of Kimo, from Waianae, is the headliner on the next card April 16 at Blaisdell Arena. He is a Christian family man and is fiercely against drugs and gangs. Who do you think lower-income family kids are going to listen to, someone dressed like the Easter Bunny or a tough guy like Kimo who has turned his life around?
And there are other positive role models in the sport.
Hawaii has a lot more problems that need immediate action, including drugs, gangs and violence on the streets.
This high-profile witch hunt against a tough, but legitimate, sport is unfair and a waste of taxpayers' money.
Let the state boxing commission regulate it -- and end this extreme waste of time by some of our lawmakers.