PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Mea culpas come in many forms.

For ESPN “Bracketologist” Joe Lunardi, that means a batch of Tastykakes. Lunardi delivered the treats, a Philadelphia staple, to Shaka Smart and the VCU locker room prior to Sunday’s game at Drexel. Lunardi was serving as the color analyst for the game for Comcast Sports.

Lunardi’s offered the deserts as a way of telling Smart that he was eating humble pie for criticizing VCU’s inclusion in the NCAA Tournament last season. Prior to one game, Lunardi quipped, “VCU can’t guard me.” The Rams promptly bulldozed Georgetown that night 74-56.

The Philadelphia native was one of several ESPN broadcasters who dogged the Rams in March, only to extend an olive branch after watching VCU shock the nation by reaching the Final Four in Houston, Texas.

Jay Bilas tweeted a photo of him and his family wearing VCU-inspired “Watchu Talkin’ ‘Bout Bilas?” t-shirts, a snapshot that included the family dog dressed in a VCU top and “I love VCU” pin. The photo was rumored to be the family’s holiday card. Bilas even gave a no-name VCU blogger 15 minutes of undivided attention at the Final Four.

Dick Vitale poked fun at himself and a 30-foot banner that read “Eat Crow, Baby” at the Final Four. Vitale and Bilas signed the banner, which originated in Richmond, and offered to auction it off for charity.

Who does that leave? Oh, right. Hubert Davis, you are on the clock.

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