Watch CBS News

Sports Agenda for Tuesday (4/3/12)

Big Story:
The Marlins are 0-2 at home, the Panthers look to clinch a playoff spot, the Heat hope to avoid getting stomped again, Kentucky wins it all, and just how stupid is LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne?
All that and more in the agenda.

Lyrics of the Day:
"You say you got a real solution; Well, you know we'd all love to see the plan. You ask me for a contribution; well, you know we're all doing what we can. But if you want money for people with minds that hate; all I can tell is brother you have to wait." From Revolution by The Beatles

Heat: (vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m, Sun Sports)
Well, the Heat had Monday off to lick their wounds from a shellacking at the hands of Boston.
What do the Heat have to say for themselves after a miserable March?
"Don't worry, be happy."
I guess they're just channeling their inner Bobby McFerrin.
Seriously though, the Heat shouldn't panic, but a little effort would be nice as April gets rolling.
I'd like to see the game start out tonight going to Bosh early and often.
Then I'd like to see LeBron, and especially Wade, not jack up 3-pointers.
I'm telling you now, the more three point shots Wade and LeBron take, the worse this team will do down the stretch.
But I really want to see if Bosh can get it going early.
Look, we know Mario Chalmers can't be counted on, neither can Norris Cole.
So, we need to see more LeBron at the point, and let's get James Jones in the game if Rio is out.
C'mon, throwing JJ out there will help you open up the floor spacing and give Wade and LeBron a chance to slash to the basket.
Here's your lineup: LeBron at the 1, Wade at the 2, JJ at the 3, Bosh/Battier at the four, and Udonis/Turiaf at the five.
Good, athletic, good shooters, good floor spacing, and Turiaf and Haslem can at least catch the damn ball.
Run that lineup at Philly and at least see what happens.
If it bombs, then adjust, but LeBron and JJ have good chemistry on the floor, so why not take advantage of it until Mike Miller comes back, or Chalmers remembers how to shoot the ball!
Tonight's game to me isn't as important as tomorrow night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
But that's a discussion for tomorrow's agenda.

Marlins: (off Tuesday, Opening Night Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN)
Stop me if you've heard this one before…the Marlins stunk it up on their home field last night.
Close to $600 million in stadium costs and approaching $100 million in salary and so far, the Marlins look, well, like the Marlins.
Okay, it was an exhibition game, but let's not overlook a few things.
First, the Marlins were two games under .500 in spring training.
Second, Hanley Ramirez looked like he had rediscovered his swing.
Third, Josh Johnson looks to be fully ready to lead the rotation again.
What does it all mean?
I don't know, but if Carlos Zambrano continues pitching like he has been, the Marlins will be looking for a fourth or fifth starter quickly this season.
My only question is….if the Marlins have spent the last five to seven years trading away top talent for prospects…why is the farm system so barren?
Now the focus turns to the Cardinals who will send Kyle Lohse to the mound to face J-Squared.
This is not your father's cardinals without Chris Carpenter and Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa, so we'll see what they've got starting Wednesday!

Panthers: (vs. Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Florida)
It's all come down to this.
The Panthers stand just two points away from clinching a playoff berth this year.
Man, I tell you, I never thought I'd write that at the beginning of hockey season.
The bad news is the Panthers have dropped both meetings with the Jets at the Bank Atlantic Center.
The good news is the Panthers have beaten the Jets three times on the road.
The Panthers have tried their best to give away their playoff spot by going on a nice losing streak including a loss to the worst team in the league, Columbus.
They're right there at the cusp, you have to hope they clinch tonight or….
They have to go on the road to Washington to play the Caps in a battle for the Southeast Division and a possible playoff berth.
Washington lost last night, so they didn't gain any ground on Florida.
Now the Cats must put away the Jets, which is easier said than done.
Florida is the lowest scoring team headed to the playoffs, if they can get two more points.
They have tonight's game, plus Thursday at Washington, and Saturday at home versus Carolina.
Surely they can find three points in there.
Of course, being a South Florida sports franchise, if there's a way they can screw it up, they'll be looking for it.

Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA Champion:
Yes, I almost threw up writing that.
Not that I have anything against Kentucky.
I love the tradition of the Wildcats and cheered for them when they were coached by Tubby Smith and others.
But the Kentucky you see that won the title is a sham.
They have nothing but one-and-done's who make a mockery of college.
Make the kids stay three years in school like the NFL and then we'll talk.
Sorry, I just think the one-and-done rule is a pile of something that comes out of the south end of a northbound bull.
And I've always, and will continue, to think that Calipari has been one of the dirtiest coaches in the history of college basketball.
The only difference between him and Jerry Tarkanian is that he's not been caught as often as Tark.

NFL Update:
A quick word on the NFL this morning to end the Agenda.
There's dumb, and then there's a whole new level of stupid.
I think LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne may have struck stupidity gold in NFL draft preparation.
See, the league gives a test called the Wonderlic that measures intelligence, critical thinking, and other areas.
Six years ago, Vince Young scored a six. People laughed it off and it was bumped up to a seven.
Based on Young's career, it should have been a good thing to pay attention to.
Now, Claiborne has one-upped Young and scored a 4.
Yes, a four, out of 50.
I think you get two for spelling your name correctly.
Sadly, the joke is on anyone who thinks star college athletes are actually students.
Most aren't at big programs.
This is proof, otherwise how can someone be a junior at LSU and score so poorly on something like this?
What does it say about LSU?
Well, he'll get paid around $25-30 million in a guaranteed contract, so I guess the joke is on those of us who pursued higher education and work in this field where intelligence is frowned upon.

We'll have much more on cbsmiami.com/sports and follow me on Twitter @timkephart33 for the latest updates.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue