Real madness: Round One Recap

It pains me to even have to write this, but acceptance is an important step, so here it goes. I am losing my bracket battle to my fiancee. All my research and knowledge down the drain. And her lack there of just proves that maybe ignorance really is bliss. So there it is, it's off my back. I just have to keep telling myself there are plenty of games left. She went 23-9 in the round of 64, just ahead of my 20-12 record. Somehow just about every game we disagreed on went her way. Why me, God? It's because I didn't pick St. Marys isn't it? So here is the run down. We both got all the number one seeds and the number twos (I let her change her North Texas over K-State pick, what a nice guy). We both missed Georgetown, Marquette, Notre Dame, Siena, Vandy, Okie State, and Florida State. She picked UNI, Butler, Wake, Cal, and St. Mary's... I didn't. But I did get some ground back on the second day by picking Wisco and Missouri. I lost three of my sweet sixteen teams and she only lost one. So here are the picks for the second round, and hopefully her luck runs out soon:

Kansas vs. UNI: we both have Kansas winning this game, even thought I had them playing againts UNLV.

Michigan State vs. Maryland: We both took Sparty, but it should be a good game.

Tennessee vs. Ohio: Kori takes the Vols, even thought she had them playing G-Town. I need a miracle in this one because I have G-Town winning a game they are not participating in... Not good.

Ohio State vs. Georgia Tech: We both have Ok. State instead of the Jackets, but we both have Ohio State winning.

Syracuse vs. Gonzaga: Again we both only have one team in this game, the Cuse. But we both have them winning... over FSU.

Butler vs. Murray State: Kori has Butler vs. Vandy, but she did pick Butler to advance again. I have UTEP vs.Vandy. I'm going to go out on a limb and say neither one of them win. I'm screwed.

Xavier vs. Pitt: Wow, finally a game where we picked both participants. Kori takes the X-men. Don't let me down Pitt.

BYU vs. Kansas State: She likes Kansas State. I like BYU in the upset. Jimmer Fredette is this year's Stephen Curry and he "has more moves than a can of worms" as the CBS broadcaster stated.

Kentucky vs. Wake Forest: I only have one dog in this fight, good thing it's Kentucky. I like them do advance and so does Kor.

Cornell vs. Wisconsin: We both predicted the Cornell upset. Kori took Wofford over the Badgers, bad idea. We both like Cornell to deliver another upset in this game.

New Mexico vs. Washington: We both have New Mexico beating Marquette is this one. Good enough, Lobos advance.

Missouri vs. WVU: Kori has Clemson beating WVU in this game... Ouch. She actually took Cemson to the elite 8... Ouch. I picked WVU over Mizzou in this one. Hopefully the Eers can get me back in the ballgame here.

Duke vs. Cal: We both like the Blue Devils. I just happen to have them playing Louisville. How did this happen to me?

Texas A&M vs. Purdue: Neither one of us picked Purdue. Didn't think the Boilers would get past Siena without Robbie Hummel. Kori doesn't know who Robbie Hummel is, she takes TAMU. Did I mention I picked Siena to win this game too?

Old Dominion vs. Baylor: Thank goodness I only picked ND to win once. We both like Baylor over Notre Dame... or Old Dominion, whoever.

St. Mary's vs. Villanova: Villanova gets a scare from Bobby Mo. I say hometown alliances be damned, I got Nova in the final four. We both like Nova to advance, even though I'm pretty sure God punished me for picking Richmond. Oh no, am I actually taking her logic seriously?

So there it is. I will post the progress after the next round? So will my bracket rebuild itself or crack like a bad drywall job? We will see. Just trust me when I say that she has some upsets in the upcoming rounds that could be her downfall... or mine I guess. Let's just watch and see what happens. Told you she would be beating me.

A Man's Game, But it Makes Me Feel Like a Kid

If you are one of those Bucco fans who is still somehow disappointed every season then you need to drastically lower your expectations. It's been nearly two full decades of losing baseball, yet at the end of every season you hear the same thing, "I can't believe we're so bad." Or "I thought this was the year they would go .500." First of all, what does that say about a team when your major goal is to go 81-81? Most teams shoot for the Series, or at least the playoffs, but not us. We'll take mediocrity over futility. And I hate to say it, this year probably will not be much different. We have some guys who can glove it, and some guys who can hit it. But my biggest complaint every year is pitching. I think Mr. Wonderful Ross Ohlendorf has the stuff and I like where he is going. I also like Charlie Morton, who has some nasty pitches, but I think he is still a year or two away. One of those two guys is our future ace. Then, in typical Pirate fashion, we have the the guys you never know about, Duke and Maholm. Both have been dubbed the ace of the staff, both have been let downs. And let's not mention our fifth starter... because we don't have one. Kevin Hart was supposed to be the guy but he came down with a bad allergy to throwing strikes. I'm going to predict it right now, even if the talent we have on the field is good enough to compete, pitching will be our downfall. We will finish behind the Cardinals and Cubs like always, and probably behind the 'Stros, Reds, and Brew Crew too. Get ready for another losing season.

But there is some good news. Baseball, even at its worst, which we see fairly often, is still the most beautiful game there is. There is nothing better than hitting up a day game on a sunny Pittsburgh afternoon at the most breathtaking yard in the league. I personally enjoy nothing more than a day at PNC, in the sunshine with that unmistakable ballgame smell wafting through the air. You walk through the gate and you get that glimpse of the field, where I swear the grass gets greener every time. You grab your favorite snack, whether it be peanuts, popcorn, or just Iron City, and enjoy. My usual routine consists of a Primanti's capicola (or the occasional Manny Sanguillen's pulled pork sammy) when the game starts, nachos in the 4th, one of those big ballpark hot dogs with the peppers on it in the 7th, and stale 8 dollar beers the whole way through. It is, without a doubt, the best way to spend a summer day. If you've been there then you know what I mean, and if you haven't I suggest you pop for a ten dollar seat and go. And when you're there take it all in, the greenest grass in the world, the sunshine reflecting off the skyline, and grown men playing a kid's game. I know I am being a bit of a romantic, but that's me, I love the game of baseball. So go check it out, and by the time you leave, you won't even mind the fact that Pujols went 4 for 4 and we lost 11-2. Let's face it, we are past the point where we go to the game to see them raise the Jolly Roger. But win or lose, the experience makes me feel like a little kid every time.

The Losers Bracket

Here it is, 3 games into the NCAA Tournament and I'm already pissed and saying I wont participate in a bracket next year, which makes me think, maybe I shouldn't fill out a bracket next year.

The hottest team in college basketball No. 6 Notre Dame lost to No. 11 Old Dominion. Which normally is awesome, except I had Notre Dame going all the way to the final four, you know what that means don't you. It means my bracket is basically shot already, so I couldn't even enjoy watching the underdog win. Then I notice that Robert Morris is beating highly ranked Villanova with 1 minute left and think to myself "if Robert Morris upsets Nova, then every ones bracket is shot and I still have a chance." But just as my luck would have it, Robert Morris gives up the lead late and loses in OT, which makes me think, why do I do this to myself.

Honestly what does filling out a bracket do for me? I'm the kind of guy who doesn't root for a team unless its my favorite, which in college basketball is Pitt, and in the tournament they usually leave me feeling like 13 year old boy trying to catch a late night tit-flick, disappointed and wanting more. There are 32 games in the first round and it would be great to be able to watch 31 of them having no alliances to any teams what so ever. All I would ask for is a well played game with good hustle and coaching, that's it, but instead I filled out a bracket so I need a team to win, I need a team to win in all 32 games in the first round, and it only gets worse from there.

Like so many people, Ive been in a bracket every year since I was 13 and have only came close to winning twice, finishing second both times. Do you know what you win for second place, the same thing the Cleveland Browns win every year....Nothing. But maybe my luck will change, maybe this will be my year. Even though I didn't get off to a good start its early, things could turn in my favor and I could end up doing fine. When it comes down to it luck is all you need to win. It doesn't matter how much you know about the sport, stats, players, teams, etc. The only thing that matters when it comes to winning your bracket is luck. The problem with that is everyone is after it, and there is only so much luck to go around. I know one thing, if my luck doesn't change then I'm done with brackets.... until next year around this time.... when I try to win my way out of the losers bracket.

Is the Combine Overrated?

The NFL scouting combine tells NFL teams how well a college player will make the transition into the pros by going through various drills, 40 yard dash times, and bench press reps. But is it really effective? The more I think about it, the more I wonder. The combine is supposed to tell us how good of a football player someone will be, by judging them on almost everything EXCEPT playing football. Granted it showcases skills and techniques, and exemplifies speed and strength, but is it really better than just watching game film? Do you pass up a guy who was a shut down corner in college because he runs a 4.6 at the combine? Apparently some teams do. I am not saying that the combine is worthless, I just feel too much emphasis is put on it. It doesn't account for the intangibles. It can make average players look spectacular and make great players look bad. Pitt tight end Dorin Dickerson is listed as a full back at the combine. He is too small to play tight end, and too big to be a receiver. He is a tweener yet he was the talk of the combine because he was the "full back" who ran a 4.2 forty. Athletically, he is a freak, but as far as football goes, it will be hard to find a spot on the field for him. This is my beef with the combine, it shows us athleticism, but not necessarily how it will translate on the football field. The 225 pound bench press is another event that I feel can make a player up his draft stock for no good reason. So what if a defensive tackle can put it up 35 times, he may not have the technique, footwork, or even the head on his shoulders to play in the NFL. That bench press will really come in handy when he's filling up the Gatorade cooler. On the opposite end of the spectrum is a guy like Timmy Tebow. How can you not love a guy like this? I have a man crush on him and I am not afraid to admit it. The dude is a warrior. He has enough heart for your entire team, and he is relentless worker. Don't like his release? Give him a couple weeks. Don't think he has the tools, check him out at Florida's pro day. Don't think he can be a starter? Draft him, I bet he proves you wrong again. He has all the things you can't teach and he is willing to learn all the things you can teach. Worried about a low Wonderlic score, another overrated tool used to rate players? A couple years ago the highest scoring player on the Wonderlic in the NFL was Hunter Hillenmeyer of the Bears. Does that make him the best linebacker in the league? He's not even top three on his own team, if he even starts. Point being, it means very little. Tebow is a proven leader. He knows how to fire the boys up. He is Drew Brees in a full back's body. He had a post-game speech that was so intense and up-front they put it on a plaque on the side of the locker room... while he was still there. He is a coach's dream. And on top of being a smash-mouth, hard-nosed, no-quit, giving speeches that make his guys' blood boil,football player,he is an all around good guy. He goes on mission trips to third world countries. He stays out of trouble, which obviously some current NFL QBs have a problem doing. He could have had a differnet girl every night of the week at UF but it's just not his style. I won't necessarily say he is a first rounder, but I think his future in the NFL is way brighter than a lot of people. And to those doubters, he seems to like proving you wrong. Tebow is a man who is all business, on and off the field. NFL teams should notice, because these are things that probably aren't in their notes from the combine.

Out Ovie Control

"I am very sorry that Brian was injured and I hope he is able to return to his team soon. NHL hockey is a physical game. We all play hard every time we are on the ice and have battles each shift in every game we play so we can do our jobs and win. As players we must accept responsibility for our actions and I am no different but I did not intend to injure Brian and that is why I was disappointed in the NHL's decision. Every time I have the honor to play for my team, I will continue to do what I've done since I was taught to play. I will play hard, play with passion, and play with respect for my teammates, opponents, and fans. I look forward to returning to my team and doing everything I can to be the best player I can be."

This is Alex Ovechkin's formal "apology" that he dished out after another dirty hit that lead to another suspension. First of all, tell me none of you out there actually believe he wrote this. You know some nerdy intern in the Caps organization thought this one up. What a bunch of garbage. Seriously it almost makes me ill. I think this is probably more like it, "There is nothing I can do right now. He fell, this just happens." This was his quote after the game. That's what I expect from a clown like Ovie. But let's break this fake apology down from the beginning. First, he could probably care less if Campbell can return to the Hawks at all this season. He only cares because he got suspended. He refers to the battles each shift, which apparently involve knee to knee hits, head hunting, flying cross-ice to blind side someone and hits from behind. Guess what Ovie, these hits don't show us that you are a physical player, they show us you are a dirty player and a punk. He says he did not intend to injure the guy. Anyone who has watched this hit can see that as soon as Ovechkin crossed the blue line he had Campbell in his sights. Campbell was clearly going to beat him to the puck. But why pull up when you can two handed shove a guy into the boards face first. And to disagree with a suspension amazes me. The Caps are lucky he got the superstar discount because anyone else would have gotten five games, he got two. Caps GM George MrPhee said "We have no problem with the way Alex tried to finish his check." Are these people watching the same replay I am? His coach even complained about the suspension and said "... he got caught in the ice and fell into the boards." Bet the two handed shove in the back didn't hurt. Actually it did, hes out for the season. The last thing he needs is people dismissing these hits as okay or right. Someone better get in his ear before someone lays him out. But back to his cheap shot style. His own coach said that he is out of control earlier in the season when he actually injured himself on a knee to knee hit with Tim Gleason from Carolina. Another hit that rendered a suspension. He is a repeat offender as stamped by the NHL. He hits with intent to injure all the time. Everyone wanted Matt Cooke suspended, but they proved that he did not break a rule, whether you like the hit or not. Ovechkin's hit the other night was as clear a case of boarding as you will ever see. I honestly believe that he thinks he in untouchable, that the rules on the ice do not apply to him because he is a star. And the code that goes around the league that maybe you don't take runs at the star players isn't going to apply to him much longer. He should showcase his skills, which no one can deny he has by the truckload, and maybe back off trying to smash faces and snap knees. Eric Lindros was the same way. He wanted to be the bully instead of the great player he was, so the other guys stopped giving him the free pass. He got lit up like a Christmas tree until he had so many concussions he didn't know who he played for. The Capitals need to do something before the same thing happens to Ovie. Every time a great athlete, and Ovechkin is that, feel that he is above the law or the rules of the game, a hard fall usually seems to follow. Someone needs to put an end to it within the organization before someone outside the organization ends it for him. Maybe he will change his ways, word is he actually called Campbell to apologize in person. It probably went to voice mail though. Its hard to answer the phone with your neck in three pieces.

March Madness in January....Not for me!!

I know that march madness is on the brink of beginning but I'm about to start talking about the BCS and I'll tell you why. There are only two times of year people talk about how much they hate the BCS, during the BCS and during March Madness so it looks like I meet the guidelines.

Let me just start by saying that I completely agree that the BCS is flawed and it isn't completely fair but on the other hand its still BETTER than having a playoff. I used to be one of those people who swore that a playoff would fix college football and it would be so exciting to see 8 or so teams playing a single elimination playoff to crown the undisputed National Champion. There is nothing wrong with that opinion, in fact that opinion is correct, but it will completely take away from the regular season, and because of that I'm no longer in that boat, and those of you who are will RUIN college football if your opinion becomes reality.

How many of you watched the SEC championship game last year between Alabama and Florida? I know i did and not just because I'm a Gators fan but because I got to see No.1 play No.2, and the loser of that game got bumped from the national title game. If you have a playoff that game means nothing, Florida dropped from No.1 to No.5 and would still get to play in the playoff tournament and probably for the national title later on, except this time they would of already had a warm up game against Bama to see all of their weaknesses, which by the way appeared to be none. Anyone who played sports will tell you, one of the hardest things to do is beat a team twice which gives the advantage to Florida for game two. If Florida wins that game then what did the playoff prove... NOTHING. Each of them would of won once, so what does that mean? Do you have to play a third game? Two years ago we all watched Micheal Crabtree score a touchdown in the final seconds for Texas Tech and bump Texas from the title game, and again had there been a playoff that game would have meant nothing. Texas wouldn't of won the Big Twelve, big deal, they would have got to enter the playoffs and if they went on to win the National Title who would of cared about the Big Twelve, nobody, and that's also who will care about the entire college football regular season if a playoff is implemented, nobody.

Every team in college basketball lost this year, every single team who held the number 1 ranking lost while they were sitting on top, and what difference did it make. Both Kansas and Kentucky lost 2 games in the regular season and what did it change. They are both still number 1 seeds and the heavy favorites to win the NCAA tourney, I know when I fill out my bracket they will both be in my finals. College basketball had some of its lowest TV ratings ever this year because everyone knows that even if your team loses it means nothing and you always here people say "wait until the tournament." When a team loses in football it matters, it matters whether its week 1 or week 13, and if you say that's false then you are lying to yourself.

Another argument is that it would be so much more exciting to watch a playoff. Watch Vince Young walk across the goal line in 06 to defeat USC for the National Championship or underdog Boise State catch Oklahoma off guard with the Statue of Liberty to score the game winner in overtime and say those weren't exciting. If you believe that teams like Boise State should have a fair chance to play for a title then they should nut up and join a real conference.

Colin Cowherd the host of "The Herd" on ESPN radio said it best "do you want a great regular season or a great post season?" Neither answer is wrong, but I pick the regular season. Implementing a playoff will be to college football what the wooden horse was to Troy, a catastrophe..... and it will RUIN college football

Adding to the Staff

I have decided to add another author to the blog, just in case I don't entertain you, maybe someone else will. My good friend Garrett will be dusting off his writing skills and joining me. He is one of the handful of people who's sports knowledge I trust and who is also willing to voice an opinion about it. I told him write whatever he wants, whenever he wants so we might post on the same day, we might post on the same topic, never know. Maybe we'll even disagree and get into one of those "Pardon the Interruption" arguments. Should be fun, check him out.

This Will Be Real Madness

Alright it's that time of the year, the most exciting few weeks of the college basketball season. The brackets are out and March Madness starts up this week. I have decided that I am going to perform a little project through this year's big dance. My fiancee Kori knows as much about college hoops as most of us know about nuclear reactors or British literature. It is for this reason I will challenge her to a battle of the bracket. I have watched these guys play all season. I know the top dogs, I have researched the sleepers, I know the top ballers and team leaders better than their roommates do. Kori, on the other hand, will surely base her picks on three criteria, in this order. First, if she has heard of one team and not the other, she will pick that team, (Robert Morris has a shot on her bracket). If she has heard of neither team, she will almost certainly ask me who has prettier colors. And if those schemes are not to her liking she will resort to which team mascot would win in a fight, i.e. a wildcat would surely beat a cardinal. I will very briefly give you her first round picks and some of her reasons for choosing so. After each round I will update on who is more accurate. This should be a sure thing, but for some reason I have this feeling deep down that I am in trouble. And if she does beat me two things will happen. I will be as embarrassed as if I were standing bare assed in traffic, and secondly I may never fill out another bracket. This should be fun:

First it should be safe to assume she will pick all the number one seeds over the 16s... but i better make sure... ok yes, good start Kori. Now I'll tell you who she picked, but more amusingly, why she picked them.

Ohio State vs. Cal Santa Barbara: Ohio State because that is what team her best friend likes. And the fact that I hate them always leads her to pick them. I have to agree with her pick on this one though.

WVU vs Morgan State: WVU even though she hates them because "they were chanting bad words at us." This would be when we attended the Backyard Brawl. Even so they will not lose to a 15 seed.

Kansas State vs. North Texas: First she asks if Kansas State is the same as Kansas... No Kori. She picks North Texas for a blockbuster upset. I have to disagree.

Villanova vs. Robert Morris: "Villanova, I'm not that dumb." I agree.

Georgetown vs. Ohio: She thought she already picked Ohio, but that was Ohio State, not the same. Georgetown because she is intrigued by the name Hoyas.

New Mexico vs. Montana: "Lobos? Its Spanish for Wolf? I love wolfs." It's wolves but I'll take it. Right pick, wrong reason.

Baylor vs. Sam Houston: Bears can't play basketball but they're kind of tall. She takes Baylor. I swear I'm not making these up. She is really saying this stuff. I like Baylor as well.

Pitt vs. Oakland: So Pitt plays in Oakland, and they play against Oakland. Pitt fans wear gold, Oakland wears gold. "I don't even get it but I'm taking Pitt." Me too babe.

Maryland vs. Houston: Maryland because it is a state and Houston is only a city. Nice logic, I agree with this pick as well.

Wisconsin vs. Wofford: "F- Wisconsin. Wofford" I, on the other hand will take Sconnie.

Vanderbilt vs. Murray State: Vanderbilt. "I like how you say it and it sounds powerful." I'm convinced, Vandy wins.

Purdue vs. Siena: Siena, "because their mascot looks like Beethoven." He really does, and I agree with my lady again. Saints in the upset.

Michigan State vs. New Mexico State: "Oh no, two states, tricky. Wolverines right? Oh Spartans, even better, Michigan State." I agree again.

Temple vs. Cornell: "CORNELL!" I ask why. "Not sure, I just like them." Ironically I like Cornell to upset here too.

Butler vs. UTEP: "Butler, like in Pennsylvania." Actually Indianapolis but she likes Butler and will pretend they're a home team. I'm taking UTEP.

Texas A&M vs. Utah State: "Why is everybody from Texas? And what is A&M? They're like farmers? Farmers are badasses." I'll take A&M as well.

Tennessee vs. San Diego State: "Tennessee, even though I heard they're crooks." It's funny because it's true. I'll take the Vols too.

Marquette vs. Washington: "Marquette, reminds me of margarita." The alky takes Marquette and I'm in agreement.

Xavier vs. Minnesota: Xavier because "X marks the spot of a winner." I can't make this up, it really came out of her mouth. I like the X men too.

Notre Dame vs. Old Dominion: She takes Notre Dame because I hate them. I like the Irish to win this one too.

Oklahoma State vs. Georgia Tech: "Yellow jackets scare me." Enough said, she takes Okie State. Me too.

Clemson vs. Missouri: She would prefer a tie since they're both the Tigers but I assured her that will not happen, so she takes Clemson. "I heard they're good." I like Mizzou.

BYU vs. Florida: BYU reminds her of BYOB. She'll take the Cougars, and I think there may be a developing drinking problem here. Anyway, I like BYU too.

Richmond vs. St. Marys: St. Marys. "Because Mary is Jesus' mom, and spiders creep me out." Hard to go against good Christian logic but I like Richmond.

UNLV vs. Northern Iowa: UNI, because we have a friend from Iowa. I think I like the Runnin' Rebs in this one. Don't be too mad at me Mark.

Texas vs. Wake Forest: Wake Forest. "sleeper" Um, its an 8 vs. 9 game but hey who am I to ruin her dreams. I'll take Texas in this one. Hook Em.

Gonzaga vs. Florida State: "Florida State, let's go Tim Tebow." At this point I laugh so hard I pee a little. I'll take the Noles too though.

California vs. Louisville: California, because she cut a guy's hair who said their coach in a jerk. Agreed, but I still like the Cards.

Well those are the first round predictions from my live-in Dick Vitale. I hope this is as amusing for you as it was for me and it isn't one of those "you had to be here" things. She put as much research into this as I would expect, yet even with all the ridiculous reasons for picking who she did, we actually agree on most of the games. We'll see who is in the lead after this round. Pray for me, even though it probably won't help since she picked St. Marys and I didn't, good strategy Kor.