BSJ Daily Briefing 03.19.18: Team-building period rolls on for Pats, NCAA hockey, B's impress

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while we wait for another nor'easter to hit the area. Man...

• One of the things that makes BSJ stand out from the rest is experience and depth of analysis. Others may try to tell you how new players will fit in with the Patriots, but BSJ explains it. Great job by Chris Price analyzing Jason McCourty, Adrian Clayborn, Jeremy Hill, Danny Shelton and Cordarrelle Patterson. You'll know exactly the strengths and weaknesses of each player because we show you. (I'll have Matt Tobin up today because ... well, o-line rules).


• In the same vein, if you want accurate Patriots salary-cap information, you have to get it from Miguel Benzan here at BSJ. He's been killing it in free agency and he's a very valuable resource during the entire offseason. Great piece here, which was generated from a question in one of our members-only Daily Q&As: If Tom Brady’s so cheap vs. other QBs, why do the Patriots have so little cap space?


• If we can't answer your question in a Q&A, we try like heck to find out the answer after.


• So we now know the bracket for the NCAA hockey tournament: Providence will play Clarkson in Bridgeport, Conn., while Worcester will feature BU (won Hockey East tournament over PC) vs. Cornell, and Northeastern vs. Michigan. That Worcester regional is loaded and should be fun to watch.


• I realize all this is through computer ratings, but how good is the system when the Hockey East regular-season champion (Boston College) is left out entirely? And the conference, which is always one of the strongest in the country, doesn't get one No. 1 seed? How does the Big 10 get four teams in, including Penn State, which was barely over .500 during the season, had a losing record in the conference and didn't win a game in the conference tournament? The computer needs to be fixed.


• I mean, this is ridiculous ... consolation games deciding NCAA berths?

North Dakota is going to beat Minnesota Duluth in the NCHC Consolation. That's going to eliminate Boston College from the NCAA Tournament. ... Hockey East fans, commence complaining about the NCHC having a consolation game. Ready? Go!

— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) March 17, 2018

• Still buzzing about the Bruins' dominating win in Tampa on Saturday night. The Lightning tried to come heavy against the depleted Bruins, and Boston more than responded. This team has something special going on. They could very well outlast the Celtics in the postseason.


• And now we get to see what Ryan Donato can do tonight after he signed with the team.


• On the other end, the Celtics are limping down the stretch with their (barely) walking wounded. Injuries are much tougher to overcome in hoops, but at least they have their seeding basically wrapped up. Time to get healthy and hope for a good matchup in the postseason.

?BUZZER BEATER? pic.twitter.com/Vzsqg2buOp

— Best Of Basketball (@BestOfBbalI) March 18, 2018

@GregABedard My Mom says the BSJ subscription I gave my Dad is the best gift I’ve ever given him. He’s totally obsessed & talks you guys up to all friend & fam. Thanks for making me look good.

— Mandy Johnson Gilman (@MandyGilman) January 23, 2018