NCAA TOURNMENT UPDATE

Thoughts from the Tournament

So far this tournament has been very disappointing. It seems like 70% of the games are blowouts. What is college basketball coming to when Davidson blows out Big Ten Champion Wisconsion in the Sweet 16. Davidson is obviously a very good team and my wife prophetically (which is another word for luck) picked them to the Elite 8 in her bracket. Besides Davidson's run and a smattering of exciting game, this tournament has lacked much drama.

BUT...I believe that the best is yet to come. We have a potential dream matchup in UNC-Kansas. I do think the UNC-Louisville game will be very good (do you think Roy will cry if he has to face Kansas, motivation to throw the game and lose to Louisville). I think Davidson's dream ends Sunday but secretly I hope Curry goes for 50 and beats KU. UCLA is on the verge of going down, they have come close the last two games and I am predicting that Xavier takes them out today. Xavier has the hunger from last years loss to Ohio State and I think Bruin mistakes will finally catch up to them. Memphis looked very good yesterday and I think that they will overwhelm Texas with their size and athleticism. If Texas can keep it close, they will have a real shot down at the end. This game is up in the air for me, but I am going to go against my original pick and say Memphis is going.

In my bracket I currently have 7 out of 8 Elite 8 teams. Stupid Wisconsin would have given me a perfect 8 for 8 if they wouldn't have gotten their butts kicked by the smallest D1 in the NCAA. My final four is UNC, KU, Texas, and UCLA. Not very original but a real possibility.

I am going to revise it on this blog, just for fun and say it is going to be UNC, KU, Memphis, and Xavier.

Lets just hope that the early blowouts set the tournament up for some spectacular games against the heavyweights (+ Davidson) of college basketball. GO HEELS!

Ahh, the life of a procrastinator

I should be studying. I have a Greek final in 1 hour. It is cumulative over the last two quarters which means that I must memorize a lot of stuff I am currently not memorizing (because I am blogging).

I have a New Testament final directly after that. What do I need to study Paul's letters for, they already happened? Do you know what hasn't happened yet? The last half of the games in the tournament today.

What ridiculous seminary schedules finals the opening week of March Madness (not to mention this thing called Easter, which other people are just as upset at them as I am about the tourney).

So, I have already lost 2 games today. Not too bad so far. I don't like UNLV so I always pick against them. They embarrassed Kent State. That is ok, they will get embarrassed Saturday by Kansas.

And my Baylor Bears went down to Purdue today. Not a big surprise. They should the three at will, play no defense, and have been slumping lately. Luckily I did not take them beyond this round because Xavier looks tough. Talk about a team that plays great defense.

I know that upsets always happen in the tourney but it seems like there will be less of them this year. Just a hunch.

Here is how I hope the tournament plays out this year (thank you Pat Forde):
Worst Case Scenario For Duke (best for me) - Interior vulnerability catches up with the Blue Devils in the second round, leaving the tournament on a two-year streak of Dukelessness in the Sweet 16. CBS executives are on suicide watch. American Express is downtrodden. State Farm is crestfallen. Chapel Hill is euphoric. Heels win national title when Hansbrough is sent to the foul line 18 times in the final game. Joyful Roy Williams congratulates his team afterward on playing through so many injuries.

Suspense almost killed

Believe it or not, Baylor Men's Basketball is going to the NCAA tournament. We are the #11 seed in the West regional playing Purdue in the first round. Cheer on the Bears, it could be another 19 years till we are back!

They waited till the last spot in the tournament to announce Baylor. When I saw the team and the fans go crazy in the Ferrell Center I think I teared up a little. I am such a proud cynic of Baylor sports.

Sic Em

Living a life of Disappointment

Welcome to being a Baylor Bear sports fan!

I have never experienced such continual sports depression as I do when I try and follow Baylor football or basketball (this is a sexist men's sports only rant, the Lady Bears are great).

I stood in the bleachers in 1999 when Baylor was 3 seconds from winning their first home Football game of the year against UNLV. Instead of downing the ball at the UNLV 2 yard line, we decide to punch it in for a decisive victory. Alas, the Baylor curse hits, we fumble into the endzone and a UNLV player runs 101 yards for the winning touchdown with no time remaining as 40,000 fall deadly quiet. Such is the life of a Baylor fan.

I went down to San Diego a couple weeks ago as Baylor was charing in the Big 12 and was playing Texas for a second time. After blowing a 17 point lead and losing the first time, I was cautiously optimistic that we would win this game. We made an impressive and inspiring comeback at the end of the game, giving me great hope, then we proceeded to call a timeout when we had none and lost the game. Such is the life of a Baylor fan.

Still we have a chance to make the tournament. We are 3rd in the Big 12 and get to play Colorado in the first game of the Big 12 tournament. Colorado has 3 wins in conference this year. We have already won. Of course, I am pessimistic but hopeful. We play terrible in the first half, fall down by 15 before staging a comeback. Then we miss 2 freethrows that would have won it at the end of regulation and go to overtime. We fight for a second overtime. Then more missed freethrows and the heroic effort is spoiled. We lose. We might not make the tournament now. Such is the life of a Baylor fan.

Maybe we will make the tournament. There is nothing in me that believes we will survive the first round. Maybe we should move Baylor to Chicago and start playing next to Wrigley Field.

Then we would have fans that understand disappointment.

It's Tourney time baby...

Welcome to Jeff Bruecker's annual March Madness tournament challenge. Jeff began this illustrious tradition running an underground betting ring at Escondido High School. Since then technology and his morals have greatly improved, allowing this tournament to reach all over the world. I hope that you will take part in this fine tradition. And remember, make your picks based on your heart, not your head.

This game gives you the chance to win $10,000 by predicting the winner of the most games in the 63 game men's college basketball tournament. A correct selection in the first round counts as 10 points, and in each succesive round the point values are doubled. You can create up to ten entries, and best of all, it's FREE to play.

Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/group?groupID=7476

Game Front:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage

Group: Manzanita United
Password: baylor

Respond with questions...if none, get ready for battle!!!

Monterey

Today I drove by the Monterey fairgrounds where Jimi Hendrix burned his guitar during the Monterey Pop Festival. Monterey is such a quiet mellow town to be the home to one of the most iconic moments in music.

My brother moved to Monterey (again) so I volunteered to help drive him up there and move him in. It felt more like a selfish gain for me; I got to hang with my brother for a day and a half and visit the central coast.

We had a long discussion on the way up about my list of Top 10 movies of all time. I also received some suggestions from friends.

So, upon reconsideration, I have omitted The Godfather II from the list. While I think that it is one of the greatest films ever, as a sequel it became an extension of one of the greatest films ever.

So, in its place I have chosen Schindler's List. This movie forever gave a voice and a picture to the resiliency and perseverance of the Jewish people.

10. On the Waterfront
9. Rocky
8. Pulp Fiction
7. The Graduate
6. Citizen Kane
5. Jaws
4. Schindlers List
3. Casablanca
2. Star Wars
1. The Godfather

In the next day or two I am going to review one of the best live musical shows I have ever seen. We saw this group last night in Monterey and I can't wait to share the experience.

Surfing - My Jeckyl and Hyde

There has been little in my life as frustrating as trying to become a proficient surfer. I have loved surfing over the last 8 years, but until recently always surfed during vacation time.

In August, when we moved to San Diego I thought that my surfing was going to improve greatly. I gave myself 6 months before I was pulling floaters, snapping the lip, and maybe even getting shacked (my apologies you surf illiterate types).

It has been 7 months I am not sure if I have improved one bit on the waves. I consider myself I solid athlete but surfing has stumped me time and time again.

The surf has been absolutely incredible this last week. Last Monday I witnessed 12-14 foot surf in Encinitas and since then it has been a solid 3-5 feet.

Today I venture out again, hoping to gain some experience and skill. Most likely I will just threaten to retire (can you retire from something you are no good at).

Wish me luck. And I will say that struggling constantly in the surf is still better than living land-locked.

Sincerely
Barney