Apr 10, 2015 By Bobby Fox, For The Greene County Messenger 4 min read

Changes are good that the volatile spring weather that has kept the area cloudy and drenched with precipitation will continue to play havoc with local baseball, softball and track and field schedules. With that in mind, maybe the few various points about recent athletic happenings that follow will give you something to do until the climate finally starts to settle down.

If nothing else, they have to be better than standing out in the rain …

… Two of the best basketball coaches in the country reminded everyone just how good they are earlier this week as Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth men’s title at Duke, while Geno Auriemma guided the University of Connecticut women’s squad its 10th crown. At first glance, it would appear as though Auriemma, who is in his 30th year with the Huskies, is clearly the superior bench general. However, Krzyzewski, who just completed 35th year in Durham, North Carolina, faces a completely different landscape in the men’s game that makes his accomplishments even more impressive.

While Auriemma has his rivals (i.e. Notre Dame head coach Muffet Mcgraw, whom he beat on Tuesday) that he competes with for the nation’s top recruits, UConn’s brand and legacy of success give him a huge advantage in landing once-in-a-generation type players at a much faster rate than his competition. Krzyzewski, on the other hand, seems to face much stiffer battles for the nation’s elite players. The Blue Devils consistently finish behind the likes of Kentucky, North Carolina and others when it comes to the always intriguing recruiting wars.

Auriemma also has the advantage of keeping elite five-star-type talent for four years, while Duke’s studs stay for one season, two at the most, before bolting for the NBA.

With a 10th national title trophy residing in Storrs, Auriemma has tied UCLA’s legendary head men’s coach John Wooden for the most national basketball championships in Division I. While time and ferocious competition for talent will likely keep Krzyzewski from reaching double digits for trophies, he has clearly established himself as the best all-around men’s basketball coach in the country …

… From unmatched success to possible cataclysmic failure, Pittsburgh Penguin fans, it’s time to officially hit the panic button. Tuesday’s implosion against Ottawa saddled the Pens with their fourth straight loss and their 11th over 15 games. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the skid is the myriad of ways Pittsburgh has managed to lose games and go from being among the East’s elite, to a team battling for its postseason existence.

Along with blowing big leads like the 3-0 advantage that was squandered against the Senators, the Penguin offense has looked inept at best. While injuries to several stars, including Evgeni Malkin, have certainly played a major role in the skid, this squad was supposed to be deep enough to handle such blows to the roster.

However, all is not lost. If they can still limp into the playoffs, a healthy Malkin vaults the Pens right back to favorite status in the East. One thing is for sure, Penguin fans will be on pins and needles as the regular season wraps up over the next few days …

… Finally, could the 2015 Masters mark a new start and approach for Tiger Woods? After multiple breaks, both voluntary and forced, for the one-time greatest player on the planet, Woods was seen at a pre-tournament press conference smiling and seemingly refreshed as he continues his run at Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major tournament titles.

Perhaps the most telling sign of an outlook change for Woods is the fact that his children, Sam and Charlie, will be with him for the first time as he competes in the annual Par 3 competition. While moving away from his fanatical, single-minded approach to his craft may not seem like the most effective path back to the winning track, it may just be the best change for Eldrick Woods the man, as opposed to Tiger the brand.