Hell, for once, Coach Bull is making sense. Should they not work harder after losing their first two games? Why do the girls look surprised?
Bingo, Sherlock

Never mind that “Hound of the Basketballs” is an old, old gag…check out the full, white beard that Jim has grown over the weekend! Impressive!
Harry New Year!
I’m not a huge believer in New Year’s resolutions, but I’ll make one here: in 2012 (well, after today) I will cease to snark about Becky’s Pinned-Up Sleeve. Back in November, snarker Charlene made this comment:
Charlene
November 29, 2011 at 4:24 am
…The lack of a prosthetic arm is one of the few realistic features of this entire strip. Her amputation is too high up for a prosthetic to be of any use.Take it from me: not every amputation can magically be replaced with a prosthetic. You need a certain amount of bone and muscle left, and her stump is just too short.
So we will allow that Becky (and some real-life amputees) are not unwilling but rather unable to use a prosthesis.
But HOO BOY, does TB beat us over the head with that empty sleeve today! Do you suppose, when Becky puts on her winter coat, that the rolled up sweater sleeve tucks neatly inside the rolled-up coat sleeve?
Inconsola-Bull
It’s just not a Westview New Year’s Eve if there’s not somebody who’s depressed and all alone! Last year, of course, it was Les, ditching the party he was hosting to ring in 2011 with the ghost of Lisa. This year, Bull stares into the depths of his punch cup, looking for answers to the She-Goats’ 0-2 start. Would be nice of his wife to try to console him, except she’s too busy talking to Les, whose own significant other is forced to share a table with Principal Nate and Miss Grundy.
Thank you one and all for a terrific year of snarkin’! It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your host. Best wishes for 2012, and if you are celebrating the New Year, please, please don’t drink and drive, and don’t ride with someone who’s impaired. Happy New Year to All!
–TFH
Punch, Bull?
The action moves to a post-game New Year’s party, and Bull, still reeling from the She-Goats’ loss to Blue Valley, unwisely decides to unburden himself to Jim the Science Guy. Jim responds by misquoting Edwin Teller (“Sooner or later a fool will prove greater than the proof even in a foolproof system”) before proceeding to mix up “infer” and “imply”.