The Wednesday Morning Rush for Feb. 8, 2012

CINCINNATI - IT'S WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8, 2012:

LEADING OFF: It was good to see that M.I.A. was old news by the time Tuesday rolled around.  She flipped the bird during the halftime in the Super Bowl. She got what she wanted. It was discussed to death on Monday, and then forgotten by Tuesday.  She got her 15 minutes of fame.

KENTUCKY 78  FLORIDA 58: The Gators were ranked No. 8 in the country. Can that be right? Kentucky treated them like an also-ran. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Marquis Tease had 12 points and 10 assists.

CONFIDENCE: Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis said after the game: "We're capable of winning a national championship if we keep playing how we're playing."

OHIO STATE 87, PURDUE 84:  William Buford scored 29 points for the Buckeyes, 21 of those coming in the second half.

TONIGHT: The UC Bearcats play at St. John's....Xavier is at the Cintas Center against Rhode Island....Miami is at Northern Illinois.

MAKING PROGRESS: The UC women beat Providence 60-56, marking the first time that UC women have won three straight games on the road in the Big East Conference. Bjonee Reaves scored 13 points for the 12-12 Bearcats.

TODAY'S QUIZ: This day in 1969, the super group "Blind Faith" was formed. Who were the three members of "Blind Faith"?

BOOK NOOK: If you're looking for a good book to while away the winter, try "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand, the author who wrote the unforgettable "Seabiscuit."  This is the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic medalist in track and field, who became a bombardier in World War II and then survived the atrocities of Japanese prison camps. Very raw but captivating.

BIGGER EAST: The Big East will announce today that Memphis will become its 12th member. The Tigers will become the fourth member of Conference USA to jump to the Big East which is losing Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

FAMILIAR FACE: Memphis Athletic Director R.C Johnson is the former AD at Miami

COMING AROUND: The Big Ten was usually the Big Roadblock when it came to a playoff in major college football. But that is changing. Michigan State's athletic director said Tuesday that all the schools are comfortable exploring the possibility of a four-team playoff.

WHAT CHANGED? Public sentiment is one reason why. "The fans have been loud and clear" said Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith.

ANYTHING ELSE? Money. All schools are under financial stress and they know a college football playoff system, even if it's only four games, is very attractive to the networks. Ticket sales have dropped off for many bowl games.

IN THE NFL: Thousands celebrated the New York Giants' Super Bowl championship on Tuesday with a ticker-tape parade through New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg called New York "The Big Blue Apple."

TICKER TAPE: Imagine a young person reading about a ticker-tape parade and wondering "what the heck is ticker-tape." Of course ticker tape has been replaced by recycled paper that's shredded into confetti.

HEAVY LOAD: Sanitation workers expected to clean up about 40 tons of paper after Tuesday's parade.  The record was 5,438 tons for the parade when Veterans returned from World War II.

POWERFUL: I know it was a repeat, but I couldn't take my eyes off "Freedom Riders" on the American Experience series on PBS Tuesday night. What a great story. It should be shown in every American History class.

FED UP WITH ROY: Rumors persist that the Reds are still making a play for free agent right hander Roy Oswalt. But Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty told John Fay of the Enquirer that "it's all rumor." He said he's "sick and tired" of the rumors.

THE QUIZ: "Blind Faith" was Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood.

"I'LL BET YOU THOUGHT THE SONG WAS ABOUT YOU." On this date in 1973, Carly Simon received a gold record for "You're so vain."

Keep one eye in the mirror as you watch yourself gavotte. Have a great Wednesday.

Popo