[NU Sports] butler

[Abrahamson, Alan (NBC Universal)]

Let me just observe that when I see the likes of Butler ranked ninth,
crushing opponents while raining in three-point shots, it makes me,
again, confront life's big mysteries, like the big-bang theory or how
many people will now claim a piece of Anna Nicole Smith's estate. Or,
more to the point: why can't Northwestern field a winning basketball
team? Butler, ladies and gentlemen. You're telling me that the weather
is better near Indianapolis than Chicago? That Butler doesn't have
recruiting standards?
 Switching topics: for some reason, the TJ Maxx outlet near us in Palos
Verdes, Calif., was stocked a couple weeks ago with Northwestern gear.
You know how when you go into a Foot Locker or Sportsmart or whatever,
and the college stuff on sale is always Ohio State, North Carolina,
Georgetown, Duke, USC? Here was Wildcat gear. Stunning. On the theory
that you can never have enough purple stuff, I stocked up on a hooded
sweatshirt ($24.99), baseball cap ($4.99) and a knit wool ski hat ($3.99
-- for those cold California nights). Kudos must go here to listmate
Neil Kaplan, the first to see the stuff. (He bought a sweatshirt.)
 Warm regards, Alan