I apparently didn't learn my lesson

So, a couple of months ago, I posted my jubilation over Duke beating Carolina. Since then, Duke's season went south. Duke lost a few games to bad teams, lost to Carolina in Durham, lost in the second round of the ACC tournament, nearly lost in the first round of the NCAA tourney, then lost for one last time in the second round. Carolina, meanwhile, didn't lose. They won the ACC regular season, the ACC tournament, and the first four rounds of the NCAA tournament by a combined score of 372-271. So, have I learned my lesson about gloating?

NO! Hooray for Kansas!

Seriously. I know Kansas loved beating Roy, and I know all faithful ABC fans like myself were dancing in the streets last night, especially when Carolina a favorite. Actually, I think I heard as many people picking UNC as were picking Kansas or UCLA. I don't think I've heard anyone pick Memphis, though they've proved everyone wrong and I wouldn't be surprised if they won it all. I am picking Kansas now, since my original champ lost (UCLA to Memphis).

Now, it's on to baseball. Go Cubs!

It's madness, I tell you! MADNESS!

Ah, March. That blessed time of year when 65 college basketball teams wage war to find out which will claim the title of national champion. In 64 games over three weekends, only one will emerge victorious. The only question is: who will it be?

I really only allow myself to get completely obsessed with one sporting event all year, and that is the NCAA tournament. I mean, I enjoy the Super Bowl and the World Series, but I don't really get obsessed unless my team is in it. That doesn't happen very often...it's one of the problems I encounter being a Cubs fan. But the whole process of the NCAA tournament fascinates me...figuring out who the teams will be, where they'll play, who they'll play, then deciding who will win every game before game one has even tipped off. It's great.

My only real beef with the tournament as it is now is the play-in game. Basically, the two worst teams in the tournament play a game to determine who has the right to get thumped by the overall number one seed in the first round. It's nice to get more schools in the tournament, but I have a problem with putting two small schools that won their conference tournament in this game. The only way these two teams (Coppin State and Mount St. Mary's) will ever make it to the NCAAs is by winning their conference tournaments. So rather than letting them play in the actual tournament, they have to play each other to see which one makes the final 64 and will lose to UNC. It's a stupid system. I say make some of the bubble teams (teams that only got an at-large bid by the skin of their teeth) play each other for a 12 seed if you want, but let the conference champions play in the actual tournament. Yes, Coppin State and Mount St. Mary's have no chance, but let them play. End of rant.

So, with Selection Sunday yesterday, we have a tournament, and I've made my picks. I'm always concerned about advertising them in case I jinx something, but whatever happens happens. I'm going with UCLA over Kansas in the championship game.

Blue Heaven

My grandmother always used to say, "Win without crowing, lose without whining." Sometimes, however, it's just too difficult.

GO DUKE!!!

89-78. In Chapel Hill. You know, national championships are great and all, but the whole season is worth it if the Blue Devils can beat Carolina even once. Sigh. Yay.

I know there are more Duke haters out there than Carolina haters. Elitist, smug, win too much, yadda yadda yadda. The way Carolina people act, as if God himself spoke on the eighth day to say "LET THERE BE TAR HEELS", I'll go with Duke any day.

Enough crowing. Carolina will do very well for themselves this season. I'm just glad that the Dookies are back.

NFL Playoffs

I can now officially completely enjoy the NFL Playoffs, now that the Cowboys have gone down in flames. Jerry Jones' face after the loss was priceless. There will be heck to pay...heck, I tell ya.

Might as well give my analysis of this weekend's games...

SEATTLE at GREEN BAY - It's amazing that Favre is still playing this well at age 83 (or is it 38?). He's had retirement rumors for, what, ten years now? He'll never retire. Unless they win the Super Bowl this year.

JACKSONVILLE at NEW ENGLAND - I think people were giving the Jaguars way too much credit this year. The only team that I think could've given New England a run for their money this year was Indianapolis. BUT...

SAN DIEGO at INDIANAPOLIS - The Bolts beat the Colts. I didn't see that coming. Give Norv some credit...no LT, no Rivers, no Gates, and they STILL won.

NEW YORK at DALLAS - Ah yes. What a marvelous end to the game. I'm sick of Tony Romo, I'm sick of Terrell Owens, and I'm sick of Jerry Jones. Please, build your billion dollar stadium and go ahead and secede from the NFL. America's team, my eye.

I'm going to stand by my original pick of Green Bay vs. New England in the Super Bowl, with the Patriots completing the 19-0 season. However, after watching how tough the Giants have been the last few weeks, I wouldn't be surprised to see them be New England's punching bag.

Post #3 is in the books. 3 posts, 3 different topics. What will the next entry bring?