Blue View
Final Four picks
To hell with Georgetown. That’s all I have to say about that. I’ll take this as a mulligan of sorts – not that I was way off the fairway, just far enough to make me look like a dumb ass. So here it goes: North Carolina is averaging like 110 points in their two games and would probably be able to beat any team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference – they’re in. Texas has D.J. Augustin, and the weakest No. 1 seed in Memphis to contend with for the South Region – that’s two. With solid defense, the officials in their pocket and a whole lotta Love, UCLA should be able to navigate the easiest route to San Antonio. And then where there once was Georgetown, there is now Kansas. Brandon Rush and Co. will walk through ‘Nova and Wisconsin to make my four.
Most impressive team in first two rounds
The first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament were so impressively confusing, only two people out of some astronomical number of bracketologists on ESPN.com had all the Sweet 16 teams right. It’s March Madness, what do you expect? But in all the mayhem, one team – a team I shouldn’t be all too proud of, seeing as they destroyed my whole bracket – Davidson, stands out above the rest. Beating Gonzaga, not that impressive. Knocking off Georgetown, now you’ve got my attention. They have the longest current winning streak in the country and the most impressive player in the tournament, Stephen Curry. As long as Curry, the 12-year-old shooting prodigy, keeps filling it up for 35 a game, Davidson has a chance at keeping that streak alive.
Most Likely Upset of the first two rounds
After all the glowing talk about Davidson and you’re not going to pick them? Nope. It’s not that I don’t think Davidson can beat Wisconsin, it’s just that I don’t think it’s as likely as Michigan State beating Memphis. In the Sweet 16, a No. 5 beating a one seed is an upset, so don’t even start with that. The thing about Sparty is they do exactly the opposite of what I think they’ll do. If I pick them to go far, they’ll choke. If I have them getting bounced in the first round, they’ll go to the Elite 8. It’s infuriating. But, I love Tom Izzo – a true hard-nosed coach – and figure if it comes down to free throws, which it inevitably will, Memphis’ sub-60 percent from the line will all but eliminate their hopes of a National Championship. The Tigers almost lost to Mississippi State, for hell’s sake, because of free throws – maybe John Calipari missed that part of the game.
Good idea to start MLB season in Japan?
The Japanese people seemed pretty happy to have the Sox in town, which is more than you can say for the fans of any other baseball team, who are sick and tired of Boston sports, in general. I might be a little biased, anyways. I’m in favor of giving Japan all the MLB games until mid-August, when things start getting interesting. That’s beside the point. I like baseball’s worldwide strategy. It’s like manifest destiny for the sporting soul. Sneak up on the bastards. “Oh, we just want to host a couple games, open our season here.” Then, bam, we’re taking over all Japanese sports – baseball, badminton, that “Ninja Warrior” competition and “MXC” as well. The NFL and the NBA have started playing games elsewhere, too. Soon enough, the world will all be united under one sporting flag, an American one, with “ESPN” emblazed on it.
Rant
This has nothing to do with sports, but who the hell is surprised about that, right? With spring clearly on the way-that doesn’t mean it won’t still snow on May 1-my heart starts to flutter with the thoughts of everything opening up to the life-giving rays of the sun. And, unlike pansy nature writers or poets, I’m not talking about flowers. I’m talking about females shedding the coats and ridiculous Eskimo boots-what, are we hunting walrus here?-and exposing their longing skin to soak up all the vitamin D the sun can offer. This not only refreshes them, but now gives me a reason to go to class. This all sounds sexist, and you’re exactly right, but I just wanted to take this time to welcome back the sun-and soon enough-the short skirts and tank tops-all the wrists and ankles would have Victorian men slobbering. So to hell with winter and its forced modesty and an excited hello to spring, the sun and halter tops.
-da.bake@aggiemail.usu.edu