USBWA News from Ed Graney News

I'm not sure it was at the split second a ball fell through net for what is arguably the biggest shot in the history of an NCAA Tournament championship game, the one that allowed Villanova's basketball team to do the impossible and top the wonderment of 1985 and the fairy tale that was born from it, when I realized my fate.

Maybe it hit me the following day: This is what poor ol' Gene Bartow must have felt like.

It was enough to follow in the hightops of those terrific past presidents of the United States Basketball Writers Association, but for my year-long tenure to begin with Kris Jenkins going all historic on North Carolina, well, that's one pretty massive enchilada to consume.

It's true that the safety of people should define our highest law.

That certainly applies to those in the media covering events who might feel uneasy or threatened upon exiting facilities late at night, something the United States Basketball Writers believe is a significant point worth following.

In keeping with the spirit of a campaign season, does anyone know if Ken Bone is aware of the USBWA?

If not, here's hoping we can get the charming fellow and his red sweater a membership form post-haste.

Practice has begun and season-long odds have been set and games are a Deonte Burton 3-pointer away from tipping off. Wasn't it just last week when Kris Jenkins made arguably the biggest shot in the history of an NCAA Tournament championship game, one that allowed Villanova to do the impossible and top the wonderment of 1985 and the fairy tale that was born from it?

But with a new year comes fresh dreams and stars and drama and memories, and whether it is Cinderella with a coach named Rollie going to the ball against Georgetown and finding a slipper that fit by shooting an ungodly 78 percent, or the nation's best team proving it on the sport's biggest stage against the side everyone assumed was the best, nothing compares to the madness created in March.

This being an election year, let my first act as your new president of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association be to make some promises, a few which might be achievable and some whose long-term prospects run along the lines of Donald Trump being endorsed by Paul Krugman.

Example: I promise the next 12 months will be as dramatic and thrilling as a 3-pointer from Kris Jenkins to win the NCAA championship.