Dang, we in the Funky Covenant lost one recently when it was learned LEROY "SUGARFOOT" BONNER had died. He was 69.

So, to pay homage to the super-funky stylings of Sugarfoot I posted a live-music clip of my favorite Ohio Players song, the sexy and sultry "Skin Tight." Add this one to the IPod playlist to continue your cultivation of funk.

TEAM TUBBY definitely is in a funk having lost four consecutive, scoring just 44 at BO, losing before that at NW (Wildcats had lost Big 10 home games by an average of 18 PPG) and are an inch from dropping out of the top 25.

Wow, despite winning through the toughest non-conference schedule in the land is it possible Team Tubby will lose so many games it doesn't make the NCAA Tourney? It's no cinch it wins tomorrow night at home versus TIM MILES' Nebraska squad because our offensive identity sucks right now and the 'Huskers seem more cohesive than the Gophers.

Why does TREVOR MBAKWE only have 20 shots the last three games? Why does more of the offense not work off him with high pick-and-roll action and low-post isloation? I rarely am second-guessing coaches because they know more about it than us, but Trevor has untapped offensive skills and is very aggressive. Plus, he's one of the best rebounders in the country, so if he clanks it he most likely will grab his miss and put it back for a deuce.

I don't know, the product is playing not to lose these days and gets all nervous and rattled and stuff. RODNEY WILLIAMS, an explosive player, failed to hit a FG at Bo and is seven for his last 29 shooting. He needs to get to the basket more and whine about not getting calls less. If he wants to play in the NBA he'll be a three which means he'll have to handle the rock to win. I just don't see that enough from him at this stage.

Tubby is a well respected, highly compensated HC who needs to find a way to right this. I always put most of the onus on players to succeed, but there seems to be a disconnect between coach and player of late. Maybe his offensive schemes are antiquated and easy to stop? If so he needs to change and that hopefully will include making Trevor more of the offensive focus. Play some in-and-out basketball with him and the HOLLINS kids. Do something, do anything because missing the NCAA Tourney after being ranked as high as eighth would be cause for dismissal, but that wouldn't happen because of the $2.5 million buyout he has in his deal.

I am quite fond of Tubby Smith and generally am not down on him when he tells it like it is and knocks players through the media. But given this is by far the best team he has had since he arrived and one of the better starting fives in the Big 10 something has to change fast.