Well, it all starts in a mere number of hours. March Madness will be upon us. Since I don't have a horse in the race this year, filling out the bracket was different for me. I only filled out one, and I actually did it based on who I might think will win, not on how Syracuse magically wins it all again. I'm going to stick to that one bracket, good or bad, since I don't have any money riding on it. So, here are a few of my picks, why I chose them, and who I have winning it all.
Fair warning: Unlike fantasy football, I almost never do well in NCAA tournament pools. Its usually based on my biases towards different teams and coaches, so maybe this year will be different.
First of all, I think Kentucky will win the tournament. There, I said it. I am unoriginal. I am buying into the hype. I have probably doomed them completely. But they are very good, extremely good, and there are only a few teams I can see actually beating them, none of whom are in their region. One that is, however, is Arizona, who I have winning the West and facing Kentucky in the Final Four. I think the winner of that game wins it all, regardless.
On the other side of the bracket, my picks are both from the same state. Clearly, I have been hanging out with too many people from Iowa, because I like the Iowa State Cyclones and the Northern Iowa Panthers. My bracket just breaks in such a way where this seems possible. Iowa State is a very impressive team, and can beat everyone in their pod, plus can take on Gonzaga and Duke if they happen to get that far. As for UNI, I think they can get some help from other teams in their bracket. I, perhaps foolishly, have Louisville losing in the first round to my new tournament darlings, the UC-Irvine Anteaters and their 7'6 center Mamadou N'Diaye. It is their first trip to the tournament, so I think they should make a splash. Plus, Louisville has dismissed starting guard Chris Jones, who was the ACC leader in assists.
So, there is my Final Four- Kentucky, Arizona, UNI and Iowa State. I have Kentucky beating Iowa State 75-65.
Some other upset picks? Eastern Washington over Georgetown, Providence and Michigan State meeting in the Sweet 16, Wichita State beating Kansas, and Woffard over Arkansas.
Enjoy the Madness tomorrow. May your bracket not get busted.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
Championship Week Woes- Or Why I Miss The Big East
So by now everyone knows that my alma mater, Syracuse, is in a wee bit of trouble with the NCAA. As it is, they are banned from both the ACC and NCAA (or more realistically the NIT) tournaments this year. The postseason ban has put quite a damper on my mood to watch college basketball, knowing that no matter what I won't be able to see my boys try to fight their way into March Madness. Instead, I am watching a lot of spring training and following NFL free agency more than I am Championship Week. The biggest effect is that it makes me pine for the days of the single best NCAA conference tournament ever, the old Big East tournament in Madison Square Garden.
We all remember that I was against the move to the ACC, and how I still wish the old Big East existed. I have a feeling a majority of sports fans feel the same way. Just watch ESPN's 30 for 30 "Requiem for the Big East", and tell me you don't miss seeing Boeheim, Calhoun, Big and Little John, and Pitino pacing up and down the sidelines in front of a raucous NYC crowd. It was, in many ways, more enjoyable for me than the NCAA tournament (mainly cause Syracuse won the Big East more). Just getting to see Hall of Fame coaches and intense school rivalries play out on the grandest stage of them all was an honor. It got daytime and prime time play on ESPN, with their #1 broadcast teams. There are so many memorable moments, my favorites of course being Gerry McNamara carrying Cuse to a tournament title, and beating UConn in the greatest basketball game ever played- the 6OT marathon.
It just isn't the same for me without that excitement. I know that the ACC has some amazing teams. Hell, just look at the standings. But I don't dislike those teams the way I did UConn, Georgetown or St. Johns. I have no great history with them. I am sure that UNC, UVA and Clemson fans feel the same way about us yankee carpetbaggers coming into their conference. Duke, of course, has already become a rival, but everybody dislikes them. Plus, it always seems like the ACC tournament is a foregone conclusion. Yes, I know that neither Duke nor UNC has won the past three years. But they have won 14 of the previous 20. Teams from outside of North Carolina have only won the ACC tournament 11 times, and its been going on since 1954! It is a relief that UVA and Louisville are good, even if I dislike Pitino and UVA's brand of basketball is borderline unwatchable. The All-Carolina Conference doesn't have the same flavor that the old Big East had.
The smaller conference tournaments can be fun, for sure. But I have no emotional investment in most of them. I'm glad Coastal Carolina made the tournament again, but I bet most people don't even know what a Chanticleer is. I'll watch a few of the title games and be happy for the kids that get to go dancing, but my interest in them is quickly gone.
The point is, watching a game on the "ACC Network" live from Greensboro just isn't the same, and never will be. It makes me sad. I've got the Championship Week blues.
The smaller conference tournaments can be fun, for sure. But I have no emotional investment in most of them. I'm glad Coastal Carolina made the tournament again, but I bet most people don't even know what a Chanticleer is. I'll watch a few of the title games and be happy for the kids that get to go dancing, but my interest in them is quickly gone.
The point is, watching a game on the "ACC Network" live from Greensboro just isn't the same, and never will be. It makes me sad. I've got the Championship Week blues.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
NFL Free Agency Has Begun... 3 Days Early!
So, apparently the rules about tampering no longer apply in the NFL. We had heard that certain free agents had been talking to teams for weeks, even though they technically weren't allowed to, but I digress. There has been a ton of action already, and the FA period doesn't officially start until the 10th. Here are some of the more interesting tidbits in my opinion-
- Suh to South Beach- The Dolphins defense suddenly got even better, albeit for a ton of money. Ndamukong Suh is going to anchor their D-line for $114 million, $60 mil guaranteed. I love the signing for two reasons. First, he was the #1 free agent on the market, and will instantly help a team whose main goal is to make sure Tom Brady doesn't win games. Second? I love that the Redskins didn't sign him. I know, it has nothing to do with the Dolphins or Suh, but in years past this would be the big splash the Skins would make. This would be Albert Haynesworth. Instead, the Redskins signed Ricky Jean-Francois, a very good 3-4 DE/DT coming off his best year for a total of $9 million. They need all the help they can get, and signing one player for the price of five or six wasn't the answer.
- The Eagles are going crazy- First, there was the rather shocking trade of LeSean McCoy to Buffalo for Kiko Alonso. The Eagles traded their best player for an injured linebacker. I know that Alonso is very talented, and an Oregon guy, but I still haven't figured this one out. Next, the Eagles have agreed to sign Byron Maxwell, CB from Seattle, for $63 million which instantly helps their secondary. Philly then agreed to a deal with 49ers all-time leading rusher Frank Gore. Personally, I would have liked to see Gore end his career in San Fran, but when a team is offering you a 3 year deal with two of those years guaranteed for a 31 year old running back is far too good to turn down. And finally (for now) the Eagles brought back Mark Sanchez on a two-year $16 million contract, which is money more for a transitional player than a backup. The question now is what becomes of Nick Foles, and do the Eagles try to trade up for Marcus Mariota?
- The two obvious destinations for Foles are the teams that hold the #5 and 6 picks in the NFL Draft, the Redskins and the Jets. Everybody except the owner of the Skins knows that RG3's time in DC should be over. Both he and the franchise are ready for a new start. I think that a trade which involves the Eagles swapping #1's this year with the Skins, throwing in a 2nd, Foles and next year's #1 to move ahead of the Jets would be a fair asking price. Foles' value isn't exactly high now that the Eagles brought back Sanchez. I think Jay Gruden could do great things with Nick Foles, who is more talented than I thought he would be coming out of Arizona. The other option, of course....
- The New York Jets, who suddenly have wide receivers! Why exactly did the Bears trade Brandon Marshall for a 5th round pick? This is a massive pickup for the Jets, but they still need a QB. The same exact trade could come to the Jets if the Skins don't move back and take a Shane Ray or Randy Gregory at #5. Throwing to Marshall and Eric Decker would make a decent QB look really good. I think Foles would enjoy that, especially if the system fits him better than the Chip Kelly system. Anyway, the overall feeling is that Mariota somehow ends up in Philly, and I am not one to disagree.
- Some franchise faces are going to be finding new homes. This is the unfortunate part about sports, when we see that it really is a business. It will be sad that Andre Johnson will no longer be on the Texans. He is easily the best offensive player they have ever had, and before JJ Watt rose to fame, was the only recognizable name on the entire team. Similarly, while Big Ben has been the leader of the Steelers offense, it was Troy Polamalu who was the leader of the entire team. The flowing locks will no longer be in the black and yellow, and its a shame. Then Reggie Wayne, the main holdover from the Super Bowl champion Colts, will be leaving Indy, meaning that Andrew Luck will be in need of another target. While all of these moves make sense for the teams they are leaving, the nostalgic sports fan in me hates to see them go.
- The moves of some other FA receivers have been interesting. The Ravens are letting both Jacoby Jones (who is signing with the Chargers) and Torrey Smith (49ers rumored to be a favorite there) go to free agency. I am not sure who they think will catch passes from their $100 million QB Joe Flacco, but it has become their #1 need, even over secondary. Look for them to draft from this deep class in the 1st round. Next, Randall Cobb passed over a massive payday from a bad team in order to stay with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. The best QB keeps his #1 target. Nelson, Adams and Cobb might be the best WR corp in football. And THIS JUST IN- as I am typing this, ESPN is reporting that Jeremy Maclin will leave the Eagles in order to reunite with Andy Reid in KC. More madness and turnover in Philly.
I am sure I will write another post or two about free agency once it picks up even more. Until then, enjoy the ride.
- Suh to South Beach- The Dolphins defense suddenly got even better, albeit for a ton of money. Ndamukong Suh is going to anchor their D-line for $114 million, $60 mil guaranteed. I love the signing for two reasons. First, he was the #1 free agent on the market, and will instantly help a team whose main goal is to make sure Tom Brady doesn't win games. Second? I love that the Redskins didn't sign him. I know, it has nothing to do with the Dolphins or Suh, but in years past this would be the big splash the Skins would make. This would be Albert Haynesworth. Instead, the Redskins signed Ricky Jean-Francois, a very good 3-4 DE/DT coming off his best year for a total of $9 million. They need all the help they can get, and signing one player for the price of five or six wasn't the answer.
- The Eagles are going crazy- First, there was the rather shocking trade of LeSean McCoy to Buffalo for Kiko Alonso. The Eagles traded their best player for an injured linebacker. I know that Alonso is very talented, and an Oregon guy, but I still haven't figured this one out. Next, the Eagles have agreed to sign Byron Maxwell, CB from Seattle, for $63 million which instantly helps their secondary. Philly then agreed to a deal with 49ers all-time leading rusher Frank Gore. Personally, I would have liked to see Gore end his career in San Fran, but when a team is offering you a 3 year deal with two of those years guaranteed for a 31 year old running back is far too good to turn down. And finally (for now) the Eagles brought back Mark Sanchez on a two-year $16 million contract, which is money more for a transitional player than a backup. The question now is what becomes of Nick Foles, and do the Eagles try to trade up for Marcus Mariota?
- The two obvious destinations for Foles are the teams that hold the #5 and 6 picks in the NFL Draft, the Redskins and the Jets. Everybody except the owner of the Skins knows that RG3's time in DC should be over. Both he and the franchise are ready for a new start. I think that a trade which involves the Eagles swapping #1's this year with the Skins, throwing in a 2nd, Foles and next year's #1 to move ahead of the Jets would be a fair asking price. Foles' value isn't exactly high now that the Eagles brought back Sanchez. I think Jay Gruden could do great things with Nick Foles, who is more talented than I thought he would be coming out of Arizona. The other option, of course....
- The New York Jets, who suddenly have wide receivers! Why exactly did the Bears trade Brandon Marshall for a 5th round pick? This is a massive pickup for the Jets, but they still need a QB. The same exact trade could come to the Jets if the Skins don't move back and take a Shane Ray or Randy Gregory at #5. Throwing to Marshall and Eric Decker would make a decent QB look really good. I think Foles would enjoy that, especially if the system fits him better than the Chip Kelly system. Anyway, the overall feeling is that Mariota somehow ends up in Philly, and I am not one to disagree.
- Some franchise faces are going to be finding new homes. This is the unfortunate part about sports, when we see that it really is a business. It will be sad that Andre Johnson will no longer be on the Texans. He is easily the best offensive player they have ever had, and before JJ Watt rose to fame, was the only recognizable name on the entire team. Similarly, while Big Ben has been the leader of the Steelers offense, it was Troy Polamalu who was the leader of the entire team. The flowing locks will no longer be in the black and yellow, and its a shame. Then Reggie Wayne, the main holdover from the Super Bowl champion Colts, will be leaving Indy, meaning that Andrew Luck will be in need of another target. While all of these moves make sense for the teams they are leaving, the nostalgic sports fan in me hates to see them go.
- The moves of some other FA receivers have been interesting. The Ravens are letting both Jacoby Jones (who is signing with the Chargers) and Torrey Smith (49ers rumored to be a favorite there) go to free agency. I am not sure who they think will catch passes from their $100 million QB Joe Flacco, but it has become their #1 need, even over secondary. Look for them to draft from this deep class in the 1st round. Next, Randall Cobb passed over a massive payday from a bad team in order to stay with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. The best QB keeps his #1 target. Nelson, Adams and Cobb might be the best WR corp in football. And THIS JUST IN- as I am typing this, ESPN is reporting that Jeremy Maclin will leave the Eagles in order to reunite with Andy Reid in KC. More madness and turnover in Philly.
I am sure I will write another post or two about free agency once it picks up even more. Until then, enjoy the ride.
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