Back on the horse...

It's been a while since my lost blog.  I had to do wheat harvest this summer and never had the time.  When I got home I found a job doing fall harvest here at home.  It has been busy most of the time.  We've got some rain the last few days, giving me some much needed time off.  There have been several issues the last few weeks that have peaked my interest, and as expected I have a few opinions on.  So, I decided I would get back on the horse and try it again.  With my busy work schedule, it might not be as often, but I will as much as I can.
There have been a few issues the last few weeks that I have been pretty vocal about.  The main two that I am going to blog about are the almost collapse of the Big XII, again.  The other is the Philadelphia Eagles "Dream Team" and Michael Vick.  I am going to talk about the Big XII tonight, and will visit the Eagles issue tomorrow night if I have time.
As most of you have seen or heard about the last few weeks is for the second time in a year, the Big XII almost collapsed.  When this happened last year, the league was kept together basically by commissioner Dan Beebe kissing Texas' ass and giving what they wanted to keep them in the Big XII and keep them together.  I blogged about this issue when it happened before and said that if they sit back and do nothing, this would not be the end of it.  Since that time there has been no talk at all about expanding the Big XII.  During this time there was also a new television contract with Fox Sports.  But as I expected, the Big XII sat back and did nothing.  This summer, the story broke that Texas A&M was going to leave the Big XII for the SEC.  They were tired of everyone bowing to Texas' every command.  The deal may have kept the Big XII together, but it also offended a lot of schools.  Then, to no one's surprise, the expansion issue came up again.  Oklahoma figured Texas A&M can do it, so can we.  They announced that they were going to look into joining that Pac 12.  The only problem with that was that the Pac 12, and probably any other conference as well, wouldn't take Oklahoma without Texas.  Soon, much like last year, it was rumored that Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech were headed west to join the Pac 12.  This time the move didn't happen because Texas and the Pac 12 couldn't agree on terms, so the Pac 12 said, "Thanks, but no thanks."  Of course this is no big deal to the Longhorns because they have the Big XII to fall back on.  Texas has been considered the "bully" of the Big XII, and rightfully so.  But what does that make Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Colorado??  This is much like a grade school playground.  Texas is not playing fair, so Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Colorado get their feelings hurt, so they run away crying like little babies instead of standing up for themselves and against Texas.  Texas doesn't care because they know they will get what they want.  They have no reason to panic.  Pat Forde posted a blog on ESPN.com the other day that I really enjoyed reading.  It was very truthful to the point, reality.  Everybody is blaming Texas for all the happenings, but is it really their fault?  Nebraska is the one that started all this by going to the Big 10 because they didn't like the way everyone treating Texas.  You don't see KU, K-State, or Iowa State crying like little babies and going to the Big 10 or ACC.  The talks with the Big East were a result of the others headed for the Pac 12.  It's all a matter of reality.  The Big XII and commissioner Dan Beebe kissed Texas' backside to keep them in the conference together in one piece.  So, Texas is the one holding the cards and the last few weeks have proved that.  The Pac 12 doesn't want to expand if Texas isn't involved.  The Big XII's hands are tied because of the deal they made.  So, as is usually the case, the big get bigger and the small get crapped on.  It drives me nuts when everyone talks about this "fairy tale" world in which everyone is nice, there are no bullies, peace on earth, etc.  While that would be an AWESOME thing, it's not reality.  The reality is that stuff happens.  Most of the time there is nothing we can do about it.  We just have to accept it and deal with it and move on.  These schools may not like what Texas has become, but the reality of the situation is, nothing is about to change. Texas is going to continue being a bully and getting their way because they are holding the cards right now.  So the best thing to do is just accept it and move on.  The Big XII is the best conference in college sports.  The SEC is a football conference, the ACC, Big East, and Big Ten are basketball conferences.  The Big XII has both.  As I said before, this is not the last we're going to hear about the expansion issue.  Only days after thinking the conference was stable again, rumors of Missouri headed to the SEC surface.  Expansion is going to happen eventually.  There will be a 16 team super-conference eventually.  Other conferences want to raid the Big XII because of it's so deep and talented throughout.  Let's say Texas, OU, OSU, and Texas Tech headed west, the Big East was going to take KU, K-State, Missouri, Iowa State, and Baylor, as well as TCU who was already scheduled to join next year.  This would be a win win for the Big East.  They could gain some respect in football, and imagine what basketball would be like with KU, KSU, and Mizzou added to that.  As I said before, it's all a matter of reality.  We hate to see the Big XII go, but it's only a matter of time and it's gonna happen.  They keep patching things up, but it's no permanent solution.  In my blog then, I said that there will be a 16 team super conference, and if the Big XII didn't do something about it and make themselves that super conference, they were going to be raided for someone else.  Their lack of action over the past year addressing the expansion issue and the hard feelings with Texas have brought the issue back to the surface, as it will again.  It's getting a little old at this point.  Texas A&M wants to leave, Oklahoma wants to leave, Missouri wants to leave.  In a perfect world, the new commissioner would make things better, everyone could hug and kiss and make up, and everything would be ok.  This is not a perfect world.  I remember when the Big 8 merged with the old Southwest Conference.  The critics of this said that letting those Texas schools into the conference would ruin the conference.  Turns out they were right!!  But the Big XII is not going to collapse and dissolve because of Texas being a bully.  The Big XII will fall because the other schools in the conference want to cry and run like chickens instead of standing up to the bully.  They are now down to 9 schools, and who in their right mind would want to join a conference that may not be here in a few years??  It's a matter of reality, and the reality is, the way things are now, we are just postponing the inevitable.  I really hate to see the Big XII go, but it's only a matter of time before it happens. It's time to accept reality and move on.  Since booting Texas from the conference is not going to happen, let Texas take their swollen heads to the west coast and let it be someone else's problem.  But if I were KU, KSU, ISU, and Mizzou, I think I would apply for membership in the Big 10 before the Big East.  That conference already has 14 schools.  Also, if you join the Big East, your closest road game, with the exception of TCU would be Cincinnati, Louisville, and West Virginia.  If you move to the Big Ten, you are still staying in the midwest where you belong.  What I'm curious about though is, what would Texas' attitude be if those schools did such a move leaving them scrambling for somewhere to go.  The Pac 12 would not accept Texas' demands, and neither is the SEC, Big 10, ACC, etc.  They'd have no choice but to give up some of their demands, or become independent.  But that's not about to happen either.  Interim commissioner Neinas thinks he can mend the fences and keep the Big XII together, and possibly even keep Texas A&M from leaving.  I really do hope he's right.  I hope he can keep it together, but he's inheriting a stalemate in which neither side is going to budge.  Texas isn't going to give any ground, causing more hard feelings and just making things worse.  The other issue that needs to be addressed to save the conference is expansion.  They need to be agressive in this matter, getting the conference back to 12 teams, ASAP.  But, as I said earlier, who in their right mind would join this mess??  The only school to express any interest at all in the last year is SMU.  There are several schools that would make good additions in my opinion.  SMU, BYU, Tulsa, or Boise State would not replace Texas A&M or Nebraska, but realisticly that's the best you're going to get.  Those are even a stretch considering there is no stability in the conference right now.  I just don't see this ending well for the Big XII.  Texas is the bully, yes, but they are not solely to blame for this.  As is the case with most disagreements there are several fingers to be pointed.  When the Big XII falls, and it will fall eventually, Texas will be blamed, but it's not all their fault.  Another thing I'd like to know is that if the Big XII came to Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Texas A&M and offered them the same things they offered Texas, would they take the high road and say, "We don't think it's fair to the other schools in the conference, so no thank you."??  I don't think so...

Unfamiliar Territory

I don't touch on the NBA much.  The main reason for that being, I really don't care much for it.  I attended two Indiana Pacers games, and I was not impressed with the kind of play.  One of the biggest things in basketball is TEAMwork.  In the NBA, there is no team.  I watched Carmelo Anthony battle with Amr'e Stoudemire for the star role, or to be the hero that brought them back from behind.  The Knicks trailed by double digits by most of the game to an inferior Pacers team.  Had they played together like they should, they would have beat down the Pacers from the very beginning like they should have.  They were too concerned about being in the spotlight, and lost to a last second shot by Danny Granger.  My other problem with the NBA is making too much of a show of it.  The game takes twice as long as it should because of TV time outs, Pacemate performances, Mascot performances, etc.  What should be a 30 or 60 second time out turns into about 5 minutes.
I have not gone out of my way, or made an effort to cover the NBA much because I don't care for it.  I don't have the passion for it like I do football, college basketball, or baseball.  The playoffs are in the middle of the second round, and there are a few things I wanted to point out.  I haven't watched any of the games, just caught highlights and analysis on ESPN and TNT.  During the season I didn't follow enough to know much about the teams, again going by what the "know it all's" say.  As the playoffs are well underway, we are seeing that these "know it all's" don't really know what they're talking about again.  The biggest headline of the season was the Carmelo Anthony trade to the Knicks.  Some people were putting them in the NBA finals before they even played a game.  Well, post-carmelo trade, things happened a little differently.  The Knicks got worse, and the Nuggets actually improved without Anthony.  But, the most popular topic was how the Miami Heat were performing with the "Big 3".  They had a hard team beating teams with a winning record.  So these guys rushed to the conclusion that the Heat would get bounced from the playoffs early, if not immediately.  The San Antonio Spurs didn't get the coverage that the Lakers got, but had the best record in the NBA all season long.  But the Lakers and Spurs were by far the "Best in the West."  They put the Spurs and Lakers in the western conference finals.  Then, lastly, the Boston Celtics, who happen to be the defending champs, kind of limped their way into the playoffs.  They did the same thing last year, and won it all, yet they still wanted to advance the Knicks over the Celtics in round one.  Here we are, well into the second round, and let's follow up with these "headlines".  The defending champs swept the Knicks right out of the playoffs.  The Knicks didn't win a single playoff game.  The overall #1 seed Spurs were bounced in the first round by the #8 seed Memphis Grizzlies.  The Lakers managed to get by the first round, but the Dallas Mavericks made them look like they didn't belong in the playoffs at all, getting out the brooms and sweeping them back to LA LA land, ending the Phil Jackson era in LA.  Now, let's see how the Miami Heat, the team that couldn't beat a team with a winning record have fared thus far.  They beat the 76ers in 5 games.  That's no big accomplishment.  They Celtics would be a bit more of a test.  Or would they??  Well, the Heat just beat the defending champion Celtics in game 5 tonight.  So the team that couldn't beat a team with a winning record has won 8 games and lost 2.  They lost more than the #1 overall seed Spurs won!  The "best in the west" are sitting at home watching on TV, and the team they predicted to be watching is pretty hot right now.  But, this is good for the NBA.  There are several positive aspects with the remaining teams that people will enjoy.  Everyone likes to see something new.  We are guarranteed two new teams in the Finals.  Everybody loves an underdog.  There are several teams that can claim this title.  The Mavericks have been under rated all season long.  The OKC Thunder are proof that small market teams can succeed, and the Memphis Grizzlies are the #8 seed.  Then you have a villain in LeBron James and the Miami Heat.  Then you have the real best team in the NBA, in the Chicago Bulls.  After Jordan retired (the second time) and Jackson left, ownership stripped down the team and started a LONG rebuilding process.  Well, they are back.  I might actually find myself watching the conference finals, and probably the NBA finals as well.  I could not say that if it were going to be the Knicks, Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, etc.  OKC v Dallas starting an NBA version of the Red River Rivalry perhaps??  MVP Derrick Rose and the Bulls against the "Big 3" and the Miami Heat.  Both very appealing matchups I think.  Half of those matchups are set, the other half still in limbo.  But that's something I would really enjoy watching.  I think...

Congratulations

We all thought college basketball was over with until next fall.  We've heard of a few star playings signing letters of intent, but that's about it.  Well, last week there was some pretty big news developing, that Gary Williams was retiring at the University of Maryland.  Gary Williams built that program into something special.  It's not Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, or North Carolina, but it's right up there with it.  But what's more important is that it's in a very talent rich part of the country.  This job could be a win win for both Maryland and the next head coach.  Maryland would have the luxury of being able to choose a good quality coach, and for a coach that's established himself at a good school that's not a national powerhouse, to take that next step up.  And let's face it, Coach K, Bill Self, John Calipari and Roy Williams aren't going anywhere any time soon.  Most schools like a Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Missouri, etc. look to a mid major coach, such as Brad Stevens or Mark Few to revive their program.  Well, as we saw with Kansas hiring Bill Self from Illinois, Maryland would be in the same position.  They could afford to look at those coaches and give them a shot at the big time.  Well, I was very suprised, and very happy to see that Maryland was considering someone who was also rumored to be Williams replacement at Kansas.  I don't know for sure, but I imagine a big part of the reason Mark Turgeon wasn't picked at Kansas was because he hadn't yet coached at a bigger school, in a power conference.  He was the Missouri Valley Coach of the Year in 2006 then took the Wichita State Shockers to the Sweet 16.  I was really pulling for him to get the Kansas job, and if he had, I'd probably be one of the biggest Jayhawk fans in the country.  Yes, you could say I have a "man crush" on Mark Turgeon.  He comes from basketball royalty.  He played for Larry Brown at Kansas, and was an assistant for Roy Williams at Kansas.  He did at Wichita State what many before him failed doing, resurrecting their basketball program, making them a powerhouse in the Missouri Valley.  He would ultimately leave WSU for Texas A&M to replace Billie Gilespie.  At the time, I was skeptical.  I thought he could do much better than Texas A&M.  But at the same time, I knew he wouldn't be there forever.  I figured this would be a stepping stone to something better.  A&M is a football school, and I wasn't sure if he could succeed.  Well, bottom line, he did.  His accomplishment at A&M is similar to what he did at WSU.  This year had to be one of his best coaching seasons after the way it started.  Just before the season, his top recruit was killed in a car accident.  To be able to take a football school and make it relevant in basketball is quite an accomplishment, and was unfortunately one of the contributing factors to him taking the job at Maryland.  A&M's football program is coming back, which means more competition for him.  I was VERY happy to read last night that Turgeon got the job at Maryland.  As I said earlier, this is a win-win for both parties.  Turgeon gets his shot at a big-time, tradition rich school, and Maryland gets a proven, winning coach.  He is taking over at a good time too, with the ACC being down.  He will be able to make a run at the ACC title almost immediately.  Another factor is the respective conferences.  The Big XII is headed for major changes next year.  They will be going from 12 teams to 10, and play a round robin format, playing each team twice, home and away.  It's not know how this will work out.  It's not known if this will help or hurt the Big XII's status as a power conference.  The Big XII isn't going anywhere, but they may not be a top 3 like they have been the last few years.  The (old) Big XII was also football conference.  Now he goes to the ACC, who is down, but on the way back up.  The ACC is a basketball conference.  They tried to make themselves relevant in football by adding Miami and Virginia Tech several years ago, but since have been even more irrelevant in football.  Bottom line is, Turgeon WILL succeed at Maryland.  As one of Turgeon's biggest fans, I am extremely happy for him, and hope this works out for him.  I am confident that he will succeed, but nothing is guarranteed.  Matt Doherty (another one of my favorite coaches) got his dream job in North Carolina, and that didn't work out.  I still think it had nothing to do with him, but I won't go into that.  I am excited to see this, and it's already got me looking forward to next season.  Good luck Mark, and I wish you the best of luck in your new job.

Back on track...

I've been a little off track the last few weeks.  But I'm gonna try and right the ship and get back on topic.  The baseball season is well underway, and I would much rather talk about that than politics.
I have been very annoyed lately with the media, mainly ESPN.  If you've been following my blog, you know of my feelings about ESPN.  To say I don't care for them is an understatement.  But unfortunately they have a monopoly on the sports market.  Fox sports tried to compete, but couldn't quite make it work.  Recent events lead me to believe that they are trying to make another run at it.  I was watching their Saturday baseball when I saw a commercial where they brag about the events they have.  They of course have the baseball all star game and world series.  But they also have the new Pac 12 and Big 10 (football) championship games.  They Big 12 also recently signed a tv deal with Fox Sports so that every Big XII football and basketball game will be televised.  Their current agreement with ESPN expires in a few years and reports are the Fox will get ALL the Big XII games after that.  ESPN has become too corporate.  They have no real competition, and they know it, so they do whatever they want.  Hopefully Fox Sports can "take them down a notch."
My biggest problem with ESPN is they only cover certain teams.  All you hear about on Sportscenter and Baseball Tonight is the Philadelphia Phillies and they starting rotation.  They are off to a good start, but there are 29 other teams in MLB.  Several of which have just as impressive starting rotations as the Phillies.  Two of those teams are in the same division.  The Florida Marlins are just 2 games behing the Phillies in the very tough NL East.  Every time Josh Johnson or Anibal Sanchez take the mound they are flirting with a no-hitter.  They talk about this pitcher and that pitcher coming close, but that's only once in a while.  Anibal Sanchez is the #4 guy in the rotation.  Those two guys do it every time they go out.  The Marlins have the second best record in the National League.  The other team in their division is the team most famous for awesome starting rotations, the Atlanta Braves.  The Braves have Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens and Brandon Beachy.  They are just a few games behind the Marlins.  Switching divisions, you have the St Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds.  Let's not forget the defending champs, the San Francisco Giants.  The American League has a few rotations worthy of mention, but haven't put up the numbers.  Sunday night baseball is an ESPN tradition.  They've broadbasted a Sunday night game for as long as I can remember I think.  I have noticed this year especially that there are always one of three teams playing.  If you want to be on Sunday night baseball, not only do you have to be good or respectable, you have to play either the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, or the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Phillies are on tonight for the second week in a row.  Fox Saturday baseball is similar to NFL where they broadcast several games, and give you the game closest to your market.  I.e. yesterday's game here was the Reds at the Cubs.  I think it's safe to say that people outside of those team's markets could care less to watch the Mets v Phillies, or the Red Sox v Yankees.  Those people in those markets that would want to watch them would be able to anyway on their regular networks.  I guess I don't see why they can't do what Fox does with Saturday baseball.  They have more resources to work with than Fox.  Why can't they offer several games and offer the game in your market.  Let people out west watch a game they want to see, like the Giants and Rockies, instead of forcing them to watch the same team they could care less about week after week.  I've been watching the Braves at Phillies for about 20 minutes and these announcers remind me of watching Dick Vitale call a KU-K-State game.  They act like they have a "man crush" on the Phillies.  Being a Royals fan in Indiana is tough.  Even though I get Fox Sports Midwest and Kansas City, the Royals and Cardinals are blacked out here.  As I've said before, the market here will only allow us to watch the Reds, Cubs, and White Sox.  This game (Sunday Night Baseball) is nationally televised and the blackout restrictions do not apply.  ESPN could broadcast other games, still good teams or competitive games.  This weekend alone, you also have the Giants v Rockies for the west market.  You have the Cardinals v Brewers for the Midwest, Marlins v Nats for the south, and you could offer the Phillies v Braves for the northeast.
I would love to see an interactive channel where you could pick any one out-of-market game to watch.  You would only be allowed to pick one game per day.  Once you picked it, that's final and the only game you could watch for that day.  So, if the Royals are not playing, or playing someone I could care less to watch, I could watch the Marlins, or the Braves, or the Rays, or the Rockies.  I am not the only out of market fan in the country.  My brother is a Cardinals fan.  My dad likes the Giants.  There are Cardinals fans all across the midwest.  There are a few teams, like the Braves, Cubs, and Yankees that have fans nationwide who would love the opportunity to watch and follow their teams.  I remember growing up, watching the Cubs on WGN and the Braves on TBS.  That is probably a big reason these teams have fans all over the country.  I remember when the Cubs played the Braves, my brother and I used to fight over watching the game on WGN or TBS.  Now the new tv deals have ruined that.  If you are an out of market fan and want to follow your team, you are forced to shell out big bucks to get a tv or internet package, just to watch your team.  ESPN could help this a little, but they choose not to.  But, ESPN is like the government.  They think they are bigger and better than anyone else, and don't have to listen to anyone.  They simply don't care about the viewer's opinion.

What it's like

One of my favorite songs of all time is "What it's like" by Everlast.  If you haven't heard this song, I strongly recommend you listen to it.  The basic moral of the song is, you do not know what the other person is truely thinking unless you've walked in their shoes.  It starts by talking about a homeless man begging for change.  Someone replies, "get a job you f*(#ing slob."  The next part is a teenage girl getting pregnant, and her boyfriend abandons her, so she decides to get an abortion, being called all kinds of hateful names as she goes into the clinic.  Then he makes the point that no one is perfect.  Everyone has flaws.  "I've seen a rich man beg, seen a good man sin, seen a tough man cry, seen a looser win, seen a sad man grin, seen an honest man lie."  Then he goes back to the original point about a man that's got himself caught up in the gang life.  He gets in a fight, looses his cool, spouts off, pulls a gun, and gets shot.  "Now his wife and kids are caught in the midst of all his pain.  People say that's what you get when you play the game."  These situations are a bit of an extreme for most people, but look back in your life and tell me you haven't judged someone before thinking about what THEY're going through.
This song has made me who I am today.  For those of you who know me, you think i'm an antagonist that's always negative and starting arguments.  Stop and think about it for a moment.  I've always followed the belief that there are 2 sides to every arguement.  We all have our sides that we like to take, and we stick to that.  We never look at it from the other person's perspective.  I call my approach a "Devil's advocate" approach.  I am not trying to be an antagonist, or start an argument.  I also believe in fairness.  People often look at things with goggles on, so to speak.  They only see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear, and believe what they want to believe.  That attitude really irritates me.
The last week or two, I've had a pretty intense discussion with someone that all started with our president's response to the rising gas prices.  As I said in my last blog, his response was, deal with it, and if you don't like it, get a more fuel efficient vehicle.  I was told that my responses were critical and insulting.  Well, if you ask me, I think it's pretty insulting to tell the people that put him in that office to "deal with it."  In this case, I was trying to defend the normal, working class americans who do not have the ability to do that.  MOST Americans either live paycheck to paycheck, or require government assistance just to pay their bills.  It's easy for someone who has always made good money, never had to struggle to make a living to sit their and offer advice like that.  These people make a very comfortable salary, probably have good credit, and can afford to trade their vehicles as soon as it's due for an oil change.  A person living paycheck to paycheck has a very fixed and limited income and can't afford to give up just a few extra dollars, let alone a car payment.  If I were that person living paycheck to paycheck, trying to support a family, etc. and someone told me that, I'd be pretty insulted.  For people living the "good life" they can afford that extra money a week to compensate for the rising prices.  For someone on a fixed budget like that, they have to make sacrifices to make up for that.  In my case, we had to give up a very nice house and move because I couldn't afford to drive to work.  I was very fortunate that my employer had another house for me to move to.  If not for that, I don't know what we would have done.  I know there are people out there who had it a lot worse than we did.  I am thankful that I had an employer that would work with me and help me out.  I was told my responses were critical and insulting, and that I should be more positive.
Criticism, insults, and negativity is all a matter of perspective.  You can take the same comment said by myself, and a positive person, and I guarantee you will take it two completely different ways.  I don't mean for my comments to be insulting or critical, that's just how they come across.  I am not starting an argument, merely defending the common person from people who don't take their situation into account.  I don't care how positive and optomistic you are, there is no avoiding criticism.  If someone needs to improve, let's say a musical competition, there is NO way you can give that person advice on how to improve without it being criticism.  It's how we improve.
Then today I was told that if I didn't like it, get a different job.  One should REALLY think before they make that comment.  A job is something that should be cherished right now.  With the economy the way it is right now, unemployment being so high, there are MANY unemployed people that would give anything to have that job.  It is not something that should be taken for granted and traded in for something better.  Every employer gets a stack of applications over an inch thick for a job.  There are litterally hundreds of people out there who would LOVE and give anything to have that job you are taking for granted.  It would be nice to move to a different job that makes more money etc., but realistically, how often does that happen??  I would say 1 in 10 times is pretty optomistic.  Then you have your "tenure" factor.  As you work at a job, you get raises, accumulate vacation, sick leave, etc.  To leave would be starting all over.  During that 10 years, you've probably got several raises during that time.  Most places let you accumulate your sick leave and don't loose it like vacation.  So, at 5 days a year, for 10 years, that's 50 days of sick leave.  Most places also award you more vacation time for the longer you've been there.  For example, 1 week for the first 5 years, 2 weeks up to 10 years, and 3 weeks after 10 years.  In that scenario, you have thrown away 50 days of sick leave, which is almost equal to two materinty leaves, and 3 weeks of paid vacation, and several dollars an hour, all that took you 10 years to work for.  If you started your job making say $10 an hour, and after 10 years you're probably making $15 + an hour.  Tell me how you would better yourself by giving all that up, finding another job that literally hundreds of people are also trying to get.  I'm sure any unemployed person would be VERY insulted that you think jobs are expendable and easy to come by.
As I said in the beginning, people have a hard time with empathy and thinking objectively.  People need to be more open minded and remember that song.  You don't know what it's like until you've been in that situation.  You don't know what it's like to not be able to afford to put gas in your vehicle unless you've been in that situation.
Another thing that has been bugging me is Obama getting so much credit for doing something that any president would do.  Let me say first that I support the end result completely.  I am glad that SOB is dead and gone.  The seals that did that should be the ones praised.  Obama merely gave an order that any president would do.  But, let's look at this from a christian perspective.  The bible says that when someone slaps you, do not seek revenge, but turn the other cheek.  So, that christian person is supporting someone seeking retribution??  That sounds like quite a contradiction to me.  A few weeks ago people defended Obama about the possible government shut down, and gas prices, saying it's not his fault, and he has no control over it.  So, you want to praise him and give him credit for taking out Obama, when all he did was merely give the ok.  But when there's criticism, it's not his fault.  That sounds a little unfair, and one sided.  Those are perfect examples of what I've been talking about.  My comments were not meant to be insults, but were taken that way.  They were taken that way because that person is being stubborn and refuses to be open minded and look at it from both sides.  Every one has an opinion about everything, and sometimes we agree, and sometimes we don't.  My opinions might be a little one sided, but I ALWAYS try and do my best to look at it from both sides.  You don't know what it's like, until you've been in that situation.  You don't know what it's like until you've been that homeless guy, the pregnant girl, or the family who lost a husband/father.  If more people would look at it that way, and do this, it would be a much more peaceful and understanding world.

"The Don" for president...

I have never been this involved, outspoken, and infuriated in politics in 31 years.  When Obama ran for president, I did not support him.  I voted for McCain.  Obama won, good for him.  There was nothing I could do to change that, so I decided I would give him the benefit of the doubt and see what happens.  His healthcare bill turned out to be a joke.  Ok, no big deal.  No one's perfect.  But the last few months I just get more and more outraged by him.  A few weeks ago, in response to the rising gas prices, his comment was, "Just deal with it, and if you don't like it trade in your gas guzzler for a more fuel efficient vehicle."  I've been in this situation before.  When I lived in Elk City, I had 17 miles one way to work.  We ended up having to give up a perfectly good house and move closer to work because it was costing me $10 a day just to drive to work.  For arguement sake, let's test Obama's suggestion here.  I had a 1985 Chevy pickup that got about 10 mpg.  It was definately a gas guzzler.  But, it was mine, free and clear.  My only expense was very low property taxes, liability only insurance that was about $20 a month, and the gas to get to work.  So, for a normal person working 5 days a week, that's $50 a week, $200 a month.  Now, say I decided to get a more fuel efficient car.  First of all, there's going to be a lein payment, and $300 a month would be the lowest you're gonna get.  Then you add full coverage insurance and much higher property taxes.  When all that's over, you STILL have to put gas in the car!  So you're talking $400-$500 a month now.  How is that saving money??  It's that kind of thinking that's made this country what it is today.  With unemployment what it is now, what is someone without a job supposed to do??  USA is the greatest country in the world, but we are not very well liked with the rest of the world.  Other countries HATE us.  I can't say that I blame them right now.  The healthcare system in this country is an embarrasment.  Most of you know what happened last summer with a very dear friend of mine.  Getting hit by that train probably cost millions upon millions of dollars to get him fixed up.  Had that happened in Canada, it wouldn't have cost a dime.  You can go to Canada, break both arms and legs and get fixed up for FREE.  It's getting to the point where someone has to take out a second mortgage on their home just for a damn doctor's visit.  Crime and violence is at an all time high.  This is the greatest country in the world, and it's getting flushed down the toilet right now.  Obama claimed he could fix it.  Well, he's finding out that he is no different than any of his predecessors.  Then there is the "birth certificate" issue.  Everyone knows that to be president you have to be a natural born citizen.  There was speculation during his campaign about his birthplace, first raised by the Clinton's.  More recently, Donald Trump has gotten involved.  At first, I didn't like the idea that Trump was getting involved in politics.  But, since that time, I have been convinced.  He wanted to put this issue to rest, and since Obama was reluctant to provide proof, he sent people on a mission to uncover the truth.  Today, he told Oprah Winfrey that he asked the Hawaiian government to release his birth records.  Why, after all this time is he finally doing it now?  If he had nothing to hide, why not disclose it way back when the Clinton's wanted to see it?  He called this issue "silliness" and that "we need to get to more important things".  This silliness would not be an issue if he had shown it when it was first asked for.  He created this "silliness" by hiding it for so long.  If there is something about me, in this case where I was born, I was born in Dodge City Kansas.  And if anyone wants to dispute that, I have no problem whatsoever with providing proof of that.  Look at this from a law perspective.  If a criminal is withholding evidence in a court case, doesn't that make him appear more guilty?  If he has nothing to hide, he would provide the evidence.  Concealing information, wether true of not, only makes you look more guilty.  If this document is real, then why did he wait for so long to release it?  Why didn't he release it from the beginning, and we wouldn't be talking about this!!  "We need to get to more important things" is right.  Since the birthright issue was taken on by Donald Trump, he has voiced his interest in running for president.  I was skeptical at first, but since then, I'm becoming more and more convinced that he is exactly what this country needs.  In his official response to the issue today, he made the comment that "we can talk about oil, we can talk about gas prices, we can talk about China ripping off this country, we can talk about OPEC doing numbers in this country like no one's ever done before."  Do you think Obama would make a bold statement like that?  NO, he would NOT.  He's going to try to be too political and keep the peace.  Keeping the peace is what got us into this mess in the first place.  The president of the United States is supposed to be a representative of the people.  He's supposed to support the people.  When an issue comes up that troubles the people, he's supposed to resolve the issue.  Instead of telling us to deal with rising gas prices, he should be doing something to fix it and bring gas prices back down.  This country will never survive on $4 a gallon gas.  This country needs someone in that office who will fight for this country and the people in it, not trying to kiss China's ass, or make nice with other countries.  China is one of the biggest human rights violators in the world, more than Iraq or Lybia.  You don't see Obama going in there and trying to fix that...  I was terrified at the idea of having Donald Trump as president at the beginning, but over the past few weeks, it has become clear to me that this country needs a drastic change, and Trump could be just the person to do that.  He's got the arrogance it takes to stand up to bullies like China and Russia.  He's got his own empire, so there is no need for him to support "special interests".  That may be a scary thought to some of you, but if we continue down the path we are now, it's going to be the end of us, and that is a MUCH scarier thought to me.  So, I hope Trump decides to run for president in 2012, and I will be one of his biggest supporters... 

We've only just begun...

We are already a month into the baseball season.  It seems to be flying by again, as usual.  There are a few surprises thus far into the season, but can they hold onto the magic, or will they go in the tank, making way for the traditional powerhouses to come in a clean up the mess.  Most years I would say that to be the case, but this season has a different feel to it.
But before I get into my analysis of the first month of the season, I want to bring up somthing I forgot to mention in my last blog about my experience on opening day.  I can't believe I left out probably the most thrilling experience of the game.  I feel embarrassed and ashamed that I left this part out, so I want to mention it now.  As I said, there was a flyover at the end of the national anthem.  The jets were from an airbase in Homestead, which is just outside of Miami.  Later in the game, they brought the pilots who flew the jets onto the field in between innings.  We all hear about the people who speak out against the wars, but we don't always hear the stories of how we support our troops.  The people of Miami showed their support in an extraordinary way.  When they showed the pilots on the screen and announced them as the pilots for the flyover, that stadium erupted.  They gave them a 5 minute standing ovation.  They cheered louder and harder for those pilots then they did when John Buck hit his grand slam home run.  I can't explain how amazing that was.  Goosebumps doesn't even come close.  It was by far, hands down, unequivocally the best experience of the night.  We don't express our thanks and gratitude to the men and women in uniform enough.  The people of Miami have been criticized for not supporting their teams, Marlins included, but one things for sure, they support our troops.
Now, on with business.  Probably the biggest surprise so far is the American League Central.  It is completely flopped from the way we, myself included, expected it to be.  With the changes the White Sox made in the off season to an already good team, we expected them to be on top, with Minnesota trailing closely behind.  I expected the standings to be Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit, Kansas City, then Cleveland.  Well, one month into the season, just flip those around.  Who would have thought Cleveland would be leading with Kansas City and Detroit trailing closely behind, and Minnesota and Chicago at the bottom of the division.  Another surprise is the slow starts of a few teams we expected to start at the top and never look back.  Tampa Bay, St Louis, and most notably the Boston Red Sox, got off to a very slow start, but as of the last week or so, all 3 of those teams have returned to the form we expected from them, getting back into the thick of things.  Another that is a surprise to most people, but not to me is the Florida Marlins.  The Marlins are winning the old fashioned way, with solid pitching and good defense.  Each time Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez take the mound, they flirt with a no no.  Sanchez took a no hitter into the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies, one of the hottest hitting teams in baseball.  The game I saw on opening day, Johnson took a no hitter into the seventh inning.  They don't have the power hitters like Pujols, Fielder, Howard, or Tulowitzki, but with pitching like that, you can win without them.  This team will be in the thick of things, come September.  There are a few things we are sure of.  Come September, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies will be in playoff contention.  What I wonder though, is can the Cleveland Indians, and Kansas City Royals keep their early season magic going, or will they go in the tank as they do every other year and make way for the Twins and White Sox to battle for the division as they usually do?  I don't know anything about the Indians this far.  I have not seen them play, or even followed them much, other than looking at the box score.  I am not as familiar with the Royals this season as I usually am, but I have followed them as much as I can.  I don't know about anyone else, maybe it's the fact that I'm a third party observer this season, but the Royals have a different feel this year.  Midway through last season the Royals canned manager Trey Hillman, and promoted long time Brewers manager Ned Yost as the skipper.  His firing in Milwaukee was somewhat controversial as he had the Brewers, who were the Royals of the NL Central, finishing in the basement most seasons, in playoff contention.  It caught people off guard to say the least.  Yost has plenty of experience as a manager, and he was a good choice for the position.  Dayton Moore, the Royals general manager is hoping this move is successful, or it could be his final as manager of the Royals.  The problem in KC hasn't been lack of talent.  The Royals have THE best farm system in the major leagues.  You can watch almost any game and see someone who has at one point in their career, wore a Royals uniform.  Their two main problems have been lack of leadership at the Manager position, and the tight wad of an owner, David Glass.  He expects the Royals to win with the lowest payroll in baseball.  But Ned Yost, as he was forced to do in Milwaukee, is making the best of the situation.  The Royals have had solid starts in the past, and faultered, so what makes this solid start different from the others, you ask?  Well, I could be wrong, and the Royals may go in the tank as usual, but there are a few stats that stand out for me.  The biggest one is the fact that the Royals went 10 games without allowing a single homerun.  Considering the pitching woes the Royals have had in recent years, that's a pretty impressive stat.  10 games and not a single homerun.  Another stat is the fact that, the first series loss comes in the final weekend of April, to the AL West leading Rangers.  Until this weekend they had no lost a series, either winning or tieing every series so far this season, against teams like the Indians, White Sox, Twins, Tigers and Angels.  Most managers will tell you that if you win series at home and play .500 ball on the road and you will be in playoff contention 95% of the time, and in the wide open AL Central that is a very likely possibility.  Alex Gordon, whose status as a Royal was very much in question last season, spending most of it in the minor leagues, has started the season on fire and currently has an 18 game hitting streak going.  The Royals fan inside of me wants this to be for real.  But the Royals fan inside of me has put up walls of defense as people do with the opposite sex.  They have repeatedly broke your heart, so you come to expect nothing but that, not getting your hopes up in hopes of not getting hurt again.  The hopeful, or hopeless romantic Royals fan in me wants this to be for real and wants to see them in the playoffs, but the realistic Royals fan inside me is expecting them to go into the tank any day now. They may not finish in playoff contention, but I do believe they have shown more improvement in these first few weeks than they have shown in the past several years.  It may not be the finish we all want, but I do believe we will get something we haven't had in a very long time, the concept of "looking forward to next year."  From what I've seen so far makes me believe the Royals do have a positive future.  The Rays of a few seasons ago, going from worst to first, doesn't happen very often, so the playoffs may be wishful thinking, but if they can get through the month of May, and still be where they are, it may go from wishful thinking to a slight possibility.  Go Royals...

Finally, the real fun begins...

This is the time of year I've been waiting for.  For those that know me, know of my passion for baseball.  As far as I'm concerned, it's the best sport.  Everyone has their preference, some like basketball or football better, and I respect that.  But for me, it's baseball.  Opening day is like a holiday for me.  There is nothing I love more than to go to a game.  It's something that I love, and as many times as I've been, everytime is like my first time.  I've been to see the Royals play in Kauffman Stadium many times.  The first game I ever saw was the Royals V White Sox.  Over the years I've seen the Royals play the Chicago White Sox, Oakland A's, New York Yankees, Anaheim Angels, and most recently the Minnesota Twins.  I saw an extra inning game last season at the NEW "K".  They have made some pretty impressive improvements and I urge you all to check them out if you have the opportunity.  I've also had the opportunity to see the San Francisco Giants take on the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver.
But none of that would even compare to what I got to experience a few weeks ago.  Opening Day is like a holiday for me.  Its always been a dream of mine to see an opening day game in person.  I figured that many years down the road I might get to, and probably at Kauffman Stadium.  I never imagined the opportunity I would be presented with this spring.  I got the opportunity of a lifetime for me, to see that Florida Marlins host the New York Mets at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.  Sun Life Stadium has had many names over the years, but has been the home of the Marlins since their inception in 1993.  When Joe Robbie built the stadium for the Dolphins he figured it was inevitable that Miami would get a baseball team, so he ensured it would be able to host baseball games as well.  The stadium is also the home for the Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes, as well as the Orange Bowl game.  It is an excellent venue for football.  It doesn't have the ora of Wrigley Field or Fenway Park, but it was kind of humbling to think of all the history in that Stadium.  Some of college and professional football greats have played in that stadium.  The Ring of Honor speaks for itself, boasting names like Don Shula, Dan Marino, and other greats in Dolphin history.  Robbie's intentions were good, making it able to host baseball games as well, but I would find out later that it's not perfect for baseball.  The Marlins have been trying to get a new, baseball-only stadium for years, and after many years of lawsuits and injunctions, they finally got approved for a stadium on the site of the old Orange Bowl Stadium.  The Marlins will move into their new home next season.  They will also change from Florida, to the Miami Marlins.  So, this would be the final Opening Day game at Sun Life Stadium for the Marlins.
They started the night by honoring one of the greats in Florida Marlins history, Mike Lowell.  The National Anthem was different from what you would expect.  Clarence Clemons was the saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.  When they brought him out, I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out.  I've heard instrumental versions of the National Anthem before, but nothing like this.  To say that it was amazing and gave me goosebumps would be an understatement.  It was definately in the top 10 I've ever heard, and you all know how critical I am of the national anthem.  Then to top that off, they had fighter jets from Homestead FL do a flyover.  I've seen flyovers on TV before, but never experienced one it person.  TV doesn't do it justice.  I can't put into words, the feeling I got as the jets flew over.  Then came the first pitch.  As part of the pregame ceremony to honor Mike Lowell, the had Lowell throw out the first pitch to Mr. Marlin, Jeff Conine.  Then came the starting lineups.  Most regular season games they kinda fast forward through some of the pre game festivities.  It was nice to see them do it all, and do it right.  The game featured the "Ace's" of the respective teams, Mike Pelphrey for the Mets, and Josh Johnson for the Marlins.  And most of the game was a pitching battle.  But the highlight of the night came in the fourth inning as, former Royal, John Buck hit a grand slam to right center field.  Josh Johnson had a no hitter going until the top of the 7th inning.  Later in the game Buck came a few feet from another homerun, hitting one off the boards in left center field.  Logan Morrison finished the scoring with a homerun to the same spot as Buck's grand slam.  It was pretty awesome to see a grand slam, in person.  Also pretty awesome it was by a formal Royal.  The biggest adjustment for me in that game was the massive turnout.  I'm used to going to Kauffman Stadium where you can buy a ticket behind the dugout the night of the game, and have plenty of room.  Needless to say, it was a full house, as one might expect on Opening Day.  The Marlins definately did justice to the final Opening Day game in Sun Life Stadium's great history.  To finish off the night, they had a maginificent fireworks display.  We almost didn't stay for it, and I'm glad we did.  Also one of the best I've ever seen.  My only complaint from the game was the view of the feild.  Our seats were along the 1st base side behind the dugout.  I never thought about the angle of the seats in a stadium until that night.  The newer stadiums have the seats angled slightly toward home plate.  It's kind of hard to explain in a blog, but the seats faced center field, instead of left center.  The person next to me would lean forward a little, so I had to lean forward more to see.  It was a minor inconvenience, that you would expect anyway when a crowd actually turns out to support their team.  Overall it was an amazing experience that I will never forget.  It was an awesome way to kick off a new season of baseball.  

SHAME on college basketball

Ok, so I lied.  I said the other night I was going to move on from college basketball to the real sport of baseball.  Well, I've been checking once a day or so to see if Frank Martin is headed home.  The University of Miami is looking for a coach to replace Frank Haith, who left for Missouri last week.  The appeared to be after Tommy Amacker from Harvard, but yesterday he turned them down.  I know it's hard to say no to home, but if someone wants to stay at Harvard, a school that has never made the NCAA tournament, instead of taking a job in the weaker ACC, that can't be good for Miami.  But I wondered if him turning them down, might get them to pursue Martin.  As of the other day, no contact has been made, but that may all change now.  FAU's Mike Jarvis, formerly of St. Johns is being rumored next, and would be a better fit, but only time will tell.  My website of choice for this is the Kansas City Star's website, as they will be the first to know and publish any developments.  ESPN would report if Martin takes the job, but talks won't make the "mother ship's" website.  Today, while checking for developments I saw something that absolutely infuriated me.  And even that is an understatement.  There was an article about an idea for them to do with some of the money that college basketball generates.  All through and after the tournament analysts were critical of "talent" level of the field.  Their reference, of course was to the players leaving early for the NBA.  I blogged about this a while back.  These players have one thing and one thing only on their minds, and that's getting to the NBA ASAP.  It's like being forced to do something.  If it's done voluntarily, it's more willingly, but you try to force someone to do something, they are going to fight you the whole way.  Forcing someone to do something is not the way to go about it.  They think forcing them to stay is going to help college basketball, but it's only going to make it worse, and I wish these idiots would see that.  I made reference in that blog to the KSU team with Michael Beasley and Bill Walker.  Both were VERY talented players and have done well for themselves in the NBA.  But the college team (KSU) barely made the tournament field, and if not for Beasley, probably wouldn't have even been in.  The same team, minus Beasley and Walker, the next season, went to the Elite 8.  These guys want to go, let them go.  While looking in the Star, I found another article that illustrates my point as well.  Josh Selby has been MIA since the season ended, missing a team luncheon, while in Vegas trying to decide whether he wants to go pro.  These guys don't care about their school, teammates, etc.  Who would you rather have on your team, Josh Selby, or Tyler Hansbrough?   Selby has left his team and coach hanging, while Hansbrough, while at UNC was the ultimate team player.  If they want to go, LET THEM GO.  But no, they want to take the money college basketball makes and offer the students, such as Selby, a no interest loan to stay in school.  The amount would depend on their draft stock.  This would also be on top of their FULL RIDE scholarship.  These guys are offered a free education, room and board, etc. while at school.  That is something that MANY people would cherish and not take for granted like these guys do.  But that's not good enough, they want to pay them now.  They would be allowed to spend the loan on whatever they wanted.  So, in Selby's case for instance, he would be offered a $30,000 loan to remain at Kansas for another season.  Oh, the things I could do with a full ride scholarship and $30,000.  Here's what will happen in 90% of the cases.  They will blow it on something, like a car, jewelry, etc. and within a few days of getting it, be complaining again about being broke.  As if that's not bad enough, wait for the repayment options.  If they make the NBA, they pay back the loan with their big signing contract, and if they don't make the NBA, they don't owe a dime.  It's wrote off as an investment in the person's future.  Really??  Seriously??  That is just asinine.  There are SO many people out there that could benefit way more from this.  If they want to get athletes to stay in college, here's my suggestion.  Talk to Roy Williams.  In his tenure at Kansas, the ONLY player to leave early for the NBA was Paul Pierce.  Hansbrough stayed and graduated at UNC, and their stars who would easily be first round choices have already announced that they are staying in school.  How many Kansas players, under Bill Self, that are currently PLAYING in the NBA have played all 4 years??  And SHAME on Bill Self for supporting this plan.  If you want guys to stay in school, talk to the coaches.  Why can't these idiots see what will happen to college basketball when they start paying players.  It will be exactly like the Yankees and Red Sox are in baseball.  The Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, UCLA, etc. will be bigger and better.  How are schools like Butler and VCU supposed to compete with that?  All that shamefulness aside, you can not tell me these players are not getting anything for what they do?  EVERY school does it, I don't care who it is.  These boosters find ways to get these athletes compensation.  Everyone does it, it's just a matter of not getting caught, like KSU and O(Ohio)SU did.  These guys are doing just fine, there is no need to compensate them more than they already are.  Shame on Bill Self, and anyone else who supports this idea.  This, not players leaving early will ruin college basketball.

I am going to do one more blog about college basketball before I start concentrating on the real sport, America's Pasttime, baseball.  As most of you know, Butler has made the championship game the past two seasons.  But, what most of you don't know much about is where Butler University plays their home games at.  So, I am going to give you a bit of a history lesson.  But before I do, I'd like to propose something I think would be absolutely amazing for college basketball.  Most of you know of my dislike and anamosity towards the Kansas Jayhawks, and their home arena, Allen Fieldhouse.  But, I would love to see the University of Kansas, and Butler university play a home and home series.  Most peole wouldn't even give this a second look.  Butler and KU, whoop-d-do.  Just another non-conference game, right??  That very well may be, but what would make this such a good and intriguing matchup has nothing to do with the teams and their recent success.  Brad Stevens has put Butler on the map with consecutive appearances in the title game, and KU is a perennial contender.  But what would make this such an amazing series is the venues they call home.  Most of you know of the history and lure of Allen Fieldhouse, from the "Rock Chock, Jayhawk" chant at the end of games, to the banner reading "Pay Heed, All Who Enter.  Beware the Phog."  Not to mention the court named after the inventor of basketball, and Kansas' first coach, Dr. James Naismith.  The building is names after their legendary coach of 39 years, Dr. Forrest C. (Phog) Allen.  I have never personally attended a game their, and honestly don't care to.  I can't stand to hear that chant on TV, so I really don't want to hear it in person.  But to KU fans and impartial fans, it's one of the greatest feelings to be around.  It is one of the most historic venues in college basketball.
But there is one arena that tops it, and that's Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Butler Bulldogs.  There is so much history in this arena I can't fit it all into one blog.  It doesn't get the attention of Allen Fieldhouse because Butler is a smaller school in the Horizon League.  "Butler Fieldhouse" as it was called in the beginning opened in 1928.  It was renamed in 1966 to honor long time coach, Paul D. "Tony" Hinkle who coached at Butler for 41 seasons.  When it opened the court ran east to west, but in 1933 they reconfigured it to run north to south because most of the seats were on the ends of the floor.  So the floor was placed at a 90 degree angle to the "arch" of the roof.  Another way to describe it would be looking across the arena with arches of the roof, and the court going from side to side.  It's a little odd looking at first, they pull it off.  It hosted the Indiana state basketball tournament from 1928 to 1971, including the "Milan Miracle."  I'm sure most of you have seen the movie "Hoosiers."  In that era, Indiana only had one state tournament for every school in Indiana.  So, a small school with an enrollment of less than a hundred students had to play against the much larger powerhouses in the same tournament.  In lamen's terms, it was David v Goliath.  And in the case, David beat all odds and the "Goliaths" and won the state tournament.  So, it was host to one of the greatest underdog basketball achievements all time.  The tournament scenes of the movie "Hoosiers" were also filmed at Hinkle.  It was featured in a documentary on ESPN in 2006 entitled, "Indiana's Basketball Cathedral."  In 1983 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in '87 was designated as a National Historic Landmark for it's role in college basketball.  The Indiana Pacers use it as their practice facility, and along that note it was the inspiration for Conseco Fieldhouse, where the Pacers call home.  It's also been the host of many other sporting events, including olympic basketball trials, and the first USSR v USA basketball game, as well as hosting US Presidents.  This venue has contibuted a lot for the history of basketball.
Those that know me know that I have two big passions, history and sports.  These two historic arenas give a person like me the best of both worlds.  I've always been interested in historic sports venues.  Some, like Ebbott's field in Brooklyn, and the Polo Grounds in Washington Heights (NY) are long gone, and some, like (old) Yankee stadium more recently.  Some, such as Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Lambeau Field, and Soldier Field.  I wish I had the opportunity to attend a game at the venues I mentioned that have been raized, and hope that I get an opportunity to visit the ones that are still with us.  Well, to see these two teams match up at both venues would be the event of a lifetime.  The storyline for this matchup would feature the venues more than the teams.  But with Butler's recent rise to prominence would surely make it a good and entertaining game as well.  I for one would LOVE to see it, even if it means listening to that god-awful chant at Allen Fieldhouse.  It would be the event of a lifetime for an enthusiast like me.

Looking Forward...

Well, the NCAA Tournament is over, and a very entertaining one it was.  There have been many viewpoints on the tournament and the championship game between Butler and UCONN.  Most of the viewpoints have been critical.  As soon as the game was over analysts were quick to call the game the worst championship game in tournament history.  I think that is a little unfair.  One of my role models in high school had a philosophy that most coaches live by.  "Offense wins games, defense wins championships."  There's no question it was a defensive game.  The analysts are just upset because there was no big storylines involved in this game.  No coaching controversies.  It was just another game for both teams.  The only BIG name in this game was Kemba Walker.  They didn't have several star players to go on and on about.  All the television people care about are the ratings.  As far as the game is concerned, it was a close game until the final 5 minutes.  It was a very defensive game, but that doesn't make it a bad one.  Some even went so far as to say that it tarnished the entire tournament.  You can't judge an entire tournament on one game.  On this I go again to the analysts being unhappy.  They are unhappy there were no #1 or #2 seeds in the final four.  Plus the fact that the precious Big East they all talked SO highly about going into the tournament failed to live up to their hype and expectations.  Writers and analysts don't want to admit they were wrong about something so they will go to any length to make themselves right, and when they can't do that, point the finger at someone else.  They didn't get what they wanted in a championship game so they try to cover that by saying it was a bad game and ruined the tournament.  What happened to trying to cover something and make it a positive feel good story.  What should be talked about is Jim Calhoun winning his 3rd title, and being undefeated in tournament play this season.  (including the Maui Invitational, Big East, and NCAA tournament.)  But what they wanted to talk about was his impending suspension and whether his legacy would be tarnished.  On the other side, you have Butler.  Butler has several good stories.  First they have a very young and talented coach.  Brad Stevens appears to have a very bright future.  He has taken Butler from a mid major, to the chamionship game in consecutive seasons.  The job he has done at Butler is more impressive than most give him credit for.  Butler is not Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, or Duke.  Some coaches have taken over programs and after a few years of success are called great.  When you go on a recruiting trip, it helps to have that prestigious school attached to your name.  "Hi, I'm Bill Self, coach of the Kansas Jayhawks.  Or Hi, I'm John Calipari, coach of the Kentucky Wildcats." sounds a LOT more impressive than, "Hi, I'm Greg Marshall, coach of the Wichita State Shockers, or Hi, I'm Brad Stevens, coach of the Butler Bulldogs."  Anyone could take over at Kansas or Kentucky and recruit simply because of the school's name.  Calipari did take Memphis from nothingness to the championship game, but Bill Self has been handed good programs in great hands.  I would be interested to see if Bill Self could take a program like Butler or VCU and bring them to the stage that Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart have done.  While at ORU (Oral Roberts University) a mid major very similar to Butler, his best accomplishment was the NIT in his third year.  What did Brad Stevens do in his third year at Butler? Just made it to the championship game.  There are SO many good stories about Butler, yet all they wanted to talk about is how Butler apparently tanked in the final game.  Some went as far as to say Stevens was responsible for Butler playing the way they did.  They all wanted to focus on the negativity instead of taking something good away from it all.
Then you have the sore losers.  The fans of teams that didn't make it and don't want to accept that their team got beat.  Kansas and Ohio State may have been the best teams, but didn't even make the Final 4.  These were very talented teams, but sometimes it's hard to beat a team on a mission.  Everyone wants that spot in the final game.  Some teams just want it more than others.  VCU is a perfect example of that.  They took the "Us against the world" thing and rode it to the final four, beating powerhouses Purdue and Kansas along the way.  If Kansas and VCU were to play 5 games, Kansas would probably win 4 of the 5 games.  But when it counts, all bets are off.  All season long I've talked about how good those teams were, but knew none of them would make the Final 4.  These good teams coasted through the regular season meeting little resistance.  When they did meet resistance they failed.  Again I'm only using Kansas as an example because I am most familiar with them.  What happened to Thomas Robinson was truely tragic.  He lost both grandparents and his mother within a matter of months.  Texas came calling that weekend and the Jayhawks were quick to use that as an excuse for the loss.  A few weeks later they received the #1 ranking, and only a few hours later Kansas State wiped the floor with them.  For Kansas it's just another game they should win.  It means a lot more to KSU than Kansas.  In the NCAA tournament these teams run into the same thing.  These games mean a lot more to VCU, Butler, and Morehead State than Kansas, Pittsburgh and Louisville.
Now that all the hype and drama of the tournament are over, as usual we are looking forward to next season.  My prediction for next season is a changing of the guard.  There are some major changes that will have more impact that most people realize.  Most of it revolves around the Big XII.  First of all two up-and-coming teams will be leaving the conference.  Colorado has a very impressive tournaround, and got snubbed by the selection committee, to make it to the NIT final 4.  Next season Tad Boyle and the improved Buffaloes will be taking their play to the newly formed Pac-12.  Nebraska's turnaround wasn't quite as impressive or noticed, but still deserve some attenion.  And they will be taking their game to the new Big 10.  More recent developments involve the Missouri head coaching position.  Missouri lost the bidding war for Mike Anderson to Arkansas.  They hired Frank Haith from the U of Miami.  Along with the mediocrity Haith will bring to Missouri, he will be loosing two of his star players to the draft, so Missouri will be pretty much irrelevent in the Big XII next year.  Then Kansas State could be collateral damage from this.  Frank Martin is originally from the Miami area.  His biggest and best characteristic is his loyalty.  But, it's hard to say no to home.  We in Kansas are familiar with that, loosing Roy Williams and Bob Huggins to their home.  I want to think that his loyalty and appreciation for KSU will win out, but there is hope with Frank Martin.  If there is someone that will choose loyalty and appreciation over home, it is Frank Martin.  But, if Frank Martin were to go home to Miami, that would put KSU in the same position as Missouri.  Then you have Oklahoma and Texas Tech, in the basement and going through a coaching change.  Both coaches, Billy Gilespie at Texas Tech and Lon Kruger at Oklahoma have definate potential and will get those programs turned around, but not instantly.  So, it's a possibility that 4 of the 10 schools will be dealing with coaching changes.  The way it's looking right now the Big XII will be no better than a mid major.  My rambling has a point, and I will get to it.  The problem with Duke this year was the weak ACC.  They played a weak non conference schedule and their conference play was sub par compared to the Big East, Big 10 and Big XII.  Kansas will be this next year.  They will not be as good as this year's team but will look better because of the weaker Big XII.  The Big East will probably be the same as this year.  Built up to be the best, but no better than average.  The Big 10 will not be as good either.  Ohio State will be in the consideration because of Sullinger returning.  Purdue is loosing 2 of their stars, but will have Robbie Hummel back.  The SEC and ACC are improving, while the Big XII and Big 10 are going in the wrong direction.  Then you have the Pac 10 becoming the Pac 12.  Arizona and UCLA suprised a lot of people this season, proving that they are back, while Washington put everyone on notice.  They will be gaining Colorado and Utah which should only help them.  The teams I will be interested in watching next season will be Kentucky and North Carolina.  They both have tremendous returning talent capable of finishing what they started this year.  Florida should be considered in the mix and Duke will be because of who they are, much like Kansas and Texas.  Preseason rankings put too much weight on past and tradition.  When the dust cleared at the end of the season, the Big East was humbled, and Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, and Kentucky proved that they were under rated all season long.  Everyone was too busy talking about the Big East and filling the rankings with those teams, that they overlooked these better teams.  How many Big East teams made the Elite 8??  Yet all 4 of the above mentioned teams were there.  Now before you rush to discredit me and say I don't know what I'm talking about, I want to point out a few things.  I said all season the top 4 teams would not make the Final 4.  None of them did.  Only one made the Elite 8.  I'm going to do a little more bragging and talk about my bracket.  3 of my final 4 teams were in the elite 8.  My bracket finished in the top 5% of the thousands submitted.  I gave these teams the credit they deserved and they didn't let me down.  I'm hoping they don't next year either.  I do hope I'm wrong about the Big XII though.  But there's no question, Kansas and Texas will carry them.  If any of you are close with Kansas State or Frank Martin, PLEASE beg him to stay.  This means a lot on many levels.  College basketball is better off with him at KSU.

Talk about statements...

With the first set of games in the books tonight both teams, North Carolina and Kansas, not only won, but won with authority.  I didn't watch much of the Kansas game so I can't comment much on the game, but I can comment on the days leading up to it.  Bill Self did his best to be politically correct when asked about playing double digit seeds.  From the looks of the highlights and the score Richmond played like a double digit seeded team.  But like he said you can't prepare for them that way.  This Richmond team is a very dangerous team, and has a reputation as a giant killer.  If overlooked could make for a long night for Kansas.  Well, Richmond sealed their fate before the game even tipped off.  The two teams "exchanged words" in the tunnel before coming onto the floor.  You don't piss of a giant.  Apparently this did and KU came out firing.  When KU is hot and playing their game no other team stands a chance, and Richmond just added fuel to the fire.  KU has by far the easiest path to the final four, the highest seed they play will be Illinois as a 9 seed.  Not to take anything away from those teams, but they are seeded like that for a reason.  They are seeded because of the entire body of work.  KU is the #2 overall seed for a reason.  As VCU is an #11 seed for a reason.  Kansas fans can downplay it as much as they want to, saying these teams are better than they seem.  But, would you rather be Ohio State and have to play George Mason, Kentucky, and possibly North Carolina?  Or would you rather play Illinois, Richmond, and VCU/FSU??  I think Duke, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, etc would LOVE to be in KU's position over theirs.
North Carolina played their best game of the tournament tonight.  To say the first half was a clinic would be an understatement.  After the first few minutes, the Tarheels went on a tear, ripping Marquette a new one.  Marquette switched to a zone in the second half and fought as hard as they could, but still couldn't get within 15 points.  Both teams advanced with ease, and await the games being played right now.  North Carolina plays the winner of the giants.  Kentucky wants to show they are for real.  If they were in any of the other 3 regionals they would be a final 4 team for sure.  I'm interested to see what happens in the VCU v FSU.  VCU has been riding that underdog role.  Us against the world.  Coaches love that attitude and it makes for great pre game and post game speeches.  But, after a few games, they talk about these teams and they start getting respect.  Then they aren't the underdogs any more, and when that happens, their dream run usually comes to an end.  One team that comes to mind is the Colorado Rockies of a few years ago.  They had to win a playin game to reach the post season and went on a tear until they ran into the Red Sox in the World Series.  VCU has gained publicity and respect and analysts and writers are giving them a chance now, and that diminishes the impact of a game.  Can VCU be like Butler and still play to that standard now that they are respected, or will reality catch up to them?
I've made comments on my facebook about Charles Barkley.  He joined the CBS crew this year when they added Turner Sports into the mix.  He covers mostly NBA games and many thought he wouldn't know much about the college game.  Well, so far in this tournament he has embarrased the "know it all's" of college basketball.  Seth Davis covers college basketball for Sports Illustrated and CBS sports.  Seth Davis has got as many picks wrong as Barkley's got right.  If he predicted and upset, there wasn't.  If he predicted there wasn't an upset, there was.  So, an interesting factoid going into that game, Charles Barkley, who has been consistantly right picked FSU to win this game, and Seth Davis, who has been consistantly wrong picked VCU.  I wonder who I'd side with on that one...
Another thing I find funny is Rick Pitino.  After his team lost in the first round, he joined the CBS crew.  Sunday evening after most of the Big East teams were illiminated Pitino was trying to defend the Big East and Barkley didn't hold anything back, stood up to him, and basically told him off.  Now Rick Pitino has moved to ESPN where no one has the balls to stand up to him the way Barkley did.  He didn't like being put in his place so he went to ESPN where they will kiss his ass.
In the past week, as well as throughout the season I have heard a lot of criticism about KSU's coach, Frank Martin.  He is widely known for his yelling on the sidelines.  What coach doesn't yell??  You show me a coach that doesn't yell at their players at some point, whether it be practice, half time, during the game, whatever.  I watch Roy Williams, one of the greatest coaches of our time throw a temper tantrum and put in 5 walk-ons in an ACC tournament game.  Coach K can yell with the best of them.  I don't care who the coach is, you can't tell me he doesn't yell at some point or another.  Frank Martin is criticized because he does it with such intensity.  A comment was made in the middle of the season about his players being tired of being yelled at, and that they quit on him.  Well, they went on a tear in the Big XII and became one of the hottest teams going into the tournament.  If that's quitting on your coach, then basketball has really changed.  Frank Martin's players a very loyal to their coach.  Despite how he yells during the games, they still love and support him.  Off the court he is one of the classiest coaches in the Big XII.  Before the KSU-KU game in BRAMLAGE COLISEUM he grabbed the microphone and asked the fans to donate to Thomas Robinson's sister's college fund.  That's class, to ask your home fans to donate to a fierce rival.  Frank Martin is also VERY loyal to his players.  Rick Pitino is probably one of the best coaches of our time, up there with Roy Williams, Coach K, and Bill Self.  After their first round loss to Moorehead State, he basically threw a few of his players under the bus.  Frank Martin would NEVER do what Pitino did.  He may chew a kids ass for something they did, but he will NOT blame a loss on a player.  He will defend that player like a coach is SUPPOSED to do.  If I had the opportunity and the choice, I would send my kids to play for Frank Martin over Rick Pitino or Bill Self.  Frank Martin is one of the best recruiters in college basketball.  For him to still be able to land players like Jacob Pullen, Will Spradling, Rodney McGruder he's doing something right.  If he were the mean hard-ass everyone makes him out to be, these players wouldn't be there.  Frank Martin demands your best and nothing less.  More coaches should be like Frank Martin.

Here we go...

Over the past several months I'm sure you've all seen the Bud Light commercials with their slogan, "Here we go..."  It signals the beginning of a good time.  But could also signal the beginning of something special.  I think this NCAA tournament is turning out to be something special.  You have the "feel good story" in BYU.  You have one region with 3 of the 4 remaining teams as double digit seeds and the #1 seed a team with a history of choking.  You have 2 teams from the city of Richmond VA in the sweet 16.  There are plenty of storylines in this years tournament.  Yet certain analysts would like for you to think the field of competition is deminishing.  I addressed this issue the other night, but failed to mention the most important issue.  When talking about NCAA athletes we forget the most important part of that title.  They are STUDENT athletes.  They are given something that many people would love to have.  Whether it be basketball, football, baseball  these athletes are basically given a free education because of their gifts or talents.  When they leave school early to play professionally most of them give up on something more important that many people would cherish.  They take for granted something that others would give anything for.  They use the school to improve their draft stock.  In these arguments they state how bad the "one and done" rule is.  They want these college athletes to play for more than just one season.  While the concept is right, they never talk about the most important part.  They never mention anything about the person's education.  They never say he should stay to get an education.  They want them to stay so they can improve ratings.  That's the bottom line in this.  They care more about ratings than a young man or woman's education.  I would cherish the opportunity to get a free education, but I've accepted that I don't have the opportunity as well as many other working class people.  It's just disgusting that such a great gift is used and taken for granted.
Switching gears, back to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament.  All season long the talk has been concentrated on the "Big 3" conferences.  The Big 10, Big XII, and mostly the Big East has dominated the discussions.  Most of the top 5 teams throughout the season have been from those 3 conferences.  With all the talk about these three conferences the Sweet 16 should consist of at least 75 %, meaning 12 of the 16 teams should consist of the "Big 3" and the precious Big East getting 6 to 8 of those teams.  All season long we heard about how dominating the Big East was.  They got a record 11 teams into the tournament.  Of these 11 teams, only 2 remain still, and those two finished in the bottom half of the conference.  2 of the 16 teams still playing probably wouldn't have even made the field if it were still 65 teams.  Marquette was supposedly one of the last teams in, and we all know VCU wouldn't have made the field of 65.  After the first weekend of the tournament we learned that maybe the selection committee isn't as stupid as we all thought.  The Big East probably did deserve  to have 11 teams in the field, but the tournament, as it usually does, exploits the weaknesses of these power conferences.  When the tournament comes around we separate the men from the boys.  This year is no exception.  I said coming into this tournament to watch out for teams outside of the "Big 3".  Meaning, watch out for teams like Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, and Kentucky.  All 4 of those are still playing.  The Big 3 has 5 teams remaining in the field of 16.  That's just of 25%.  The Big XII has 1, Big Ten and Big East with 2 each.  Those 5 teams are hardly being talked about coming into this weekend.  We've talked all season about the Pac 10, SEC, and ACC as being "Mid-Major" to the other half of the Power 6.  Yet these conferences consist of more teams in the Sweet 16 with 6 teams.  Then you have the remaining 5 teams coming from "Mid Major" conferences.  Richmond and Butler are debatable, but they might not have been included in the field without their run in their conference tournaments.  I don't see how anyone can claim the NCAA tournament is on a downhill slide when it's still one of the biggest sporting events in our country.
ESPN calls itself "The worldwide leader in sports."  I think that title is not deserved.  ESPN should be embarrased.  If my team were playing in the NIT, or if I were a women's college basketball fan, I would be FURIOUS with them.  I was very mad with ESPN over the fact that they only broadcasted a total of 3 Big XII tournament games, yet didn't miss a single game of the Big East tournament.  They always criticezed CBS' coverage of the NCAA tournament with only one network.  That is probably more jealousy than anything, but how can they claim this?  They have 5 networks, 6 if you include ABC.  They have the rights to the NIT and the NCAA Women's basketball tournament.  Tuesday night there were 4 teams playing at one time, and only 2 games on TV.  Of the 3 quarterfinal matches of the NIT last night, they only showed 2.  They have practically unlimited resources, and there is not reason at all they can't show every game of the women's tournament and men's NIT.  But hey, we would have missed the opportunity to watch a rebroadcast of the 1988 Championship game between Kansas and Oklahoma.  We might miss something if they put a game on ESPN News over Sportscenter.  It's unfair, but the women's tournament always takes a back door to the men's tournament.  But ESPN just makes it worse.  It's hard enough for these women to get some face time, and ESPN just slaps them in the face.
I want to give a shout out to a team that wasn't included in the field of 68.  There are a few Mid Major conferences that are better than average.  Conference USA put 2 teams in the field.  The CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) Mountain West and Atlantic 10 put 3 teams each in.  The Missouri Valley is a conference that could claim discrimination.  Indiana State finished 3rd in the regular season standings, below Missouri State and Wichita State.  Missouri State won the regular season conference title outright over Wichita State, yet neither of these teams got in.  The regular season champs of the above mentioned conferences did not win the conference tournament, yet got in for their regular season accomplishments.  The selection committee said they wanted to reward the "entire body of work."  You don't get a more entire body of work then winning the regular season conference title.  So, what's left for those two teams?  There is no shame in playing in the NIT.  For teams like Virginia Tech, Boston College, Colorado, and Alabama it's like a slap in the face.  And they often play like it.  Teams like that often feel they are too good for the NIT and shouldn't be there and forget to show up.  St Mary's lost their first game.   But, for teams like Wichita State, Missouri State, Cleveland State, Kent State this is like the NCAA tournament.  They embrace it and play hard.  Kent State took Colorado to the very end the other night.  Wichita State was given a 4 seed.   They have probably had a tougher road to the NIT final 4 than the other three teams.  They beat a hot Nebraska team, Virginia Tech, and another hot team in College of Charleston.  The NIT Final 4 consists of Alabama v Colorado, and Washington State v Wichita State.  I've always like Wichita State.  I watched Mark Turgeon succeed at something many of his predecessors failed in doing in building Wichita State into a perennial contender for the Missouri Valley Conference title.  I enjoyed watching them make a run deep into the NCAA tournament.  When Turgeon left for greener pastures many, myself included wondered what would become of what Turgeon built.  WSU went out and hired Greg Marshall, and he stepped in and hasn't missed a beat.  They were contenders for the Mo Valley title down to the final game against MSU.  I am happy for Greg Marshall and Wichita State's success and I will be rooting for them next week in NYC.  They, along with Colorado will be playing in one of the most famous sports venues in America next week.  How great would it be to have a Colorado v Wichita State NIT final??  I think it would be pretty great and I will be rooting for that next week.  GO SHOCKERS!! 

Better watch out...

Now that the first weekend of the NCAA tournament is winding to a close, there are a few teams who have squeaked through into the Sweet 16 and there are others who have advanced with authority.  There are also a few disappointments.
Probably one of the biggest stories of the weekend is the Southwest Region.  Of the four teams left, 3 are double digit seeds.  This was said by many to be the easiest region in the tournament.  In the first round 5 of the 8 games were won by lower seeds.  I am not surprised at how poorly the Big East teams are performing in this tournament.  I have felt all along the Big East was over rated.  Marquette, the supposed last big east team in just beat Syracuse who finished #4 in the Big East.  Pittsburgh went down early as they did in the Big East tournament.  Louisville dropped their first game to Moorehead State.  St John's was considered the hottest team in the Big East, but dropped their first game to an average Gonzaga team.  The Big East may have deserved to get 11 teams into the field, but they are clearly not as good as everyone claims them to be.  The Big East has 2 of those 11 teams in the Sweet 16, and both teams finished the regular season in the bottom of the conference.  The way everyone talks of the Big East they should have at least 6 or 8 teams still playing.  Yet the so called "best teams in the country" are preparing for next season.
There are teams that are still playing that are under rated because of all the talk about the Big East teams.  North Carolina, Arizona, Kentucky, Florida, Wisconsin are a few of the teams still playing that haven't got near enough consideration all year long.  Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Georgetown, have been in the top 10 for most of the season, yet they are all eliminated early.
Jay Bilas started the week off by commenting on how much the level of play in the NCAA tournament has decreased over the years.  I disagreed with him at the time, and after the first weekend of this years tournament, disagree with him more.  This tournament is one of the biggest sporting events in the country.  It's right up there with the Super Bowl.  Most of America, whether they know anything or not probably fills out a bracket.  One of his problems is the "one and done" players.  I disagree with that theory.  I think that's what's wrong with the NBA.  Take the New York Knicks and Miami Heat for example.  They have loaded up with stars, yet are struggling to win.  When you get 3 or 4 stars on a team they all want to be in the spotlight, fight over it, and it destroys the team.  That's one of the greatest things about college basketball is the team play.  Basketball is a TEAM sport, and in the NBA it's an individual sport.  K-State had a "one and done" player in Michael Beasley a few years ago.  They barely made it into the NCAA tournament.  Beasley is the ONLY reason that team got in.  The next season, minus Beasley and Bill Walker had one of the best seasons in K-State history, loosing to Butler in the Elite 8.  Those guys only have one thing on their mind and that's playing in the NBA and getting rich.  Let them go.  With that attitude they are better off there anyway.
One of the big changes with the tournament this year was adding Turner sports to the network.  In years past it was only CBS and they chose wich game you watched, and often switched from it for something else.  Under that format I wouldn't have been able to watch KSU v USU thursday night.  When the NCAA announced that Turner sports would join CBS, instead of the sports giant ESPN many people, mostly with ties to ESPN were outraged.  Personally I was in favor of it.  I don't care much for ESPN.  Their "Championship Week" was the biggest load of crap I've ever seen.  They have rights to 5 of the 6 power conference tournaments.  ESPN has 5 networks, 6 if you include ABC.  Only 2 of those networks broadcasted conference tournament games and ESPN was dedicated to the precious Big East.  They only had 3 Big XII tournament games on ESPN and one was the championship game.  There's no excuse for that.  With 6 networks and 5 conference tournaments there's no reason every tournament game shouldn't be televised.  One of the arguements against Turner sports doing the NCAA tournament is their supposed lack of knowledge of college basketball.  Turner does NBA games, so they figured guys like Charles Barkley and Marv Albert wouldn't know anything about college basketball.  Well, I am impressed with how well they've done this weekend.  I think Charles Barkley has done a better job the Seth Davis, and that's all he does is follow college basketball!!  I was particularly impressed earlier when he voiced his opinion about the Big East being over rated with Rick Pitino on the set.  I couldn't imagine Doug Gottlieb or Jay Bilas saying what Barkley did.  I personally would MUCH rather listen to Marv Albert call a game than Dick Vitale.  I still found myself switching games much like CBS to watch the end of certain games, but i was nice to have control over that.  When they started that god-awful chant, I could change the channel.  I didn't have to watch Purdue's tank job.
I am looking forward to the Sweet 16 round.  Matchups like Butler/Wisconsin and BYU/Florida will be fun to watch.  After watching the last few Kansas games, they are very similar to last year.  They wait until the last 10 minutes or so of the game to turn it on, and like it did last year against Northern Iowa, it's going to catch up with them.  Just becuase every other team left is a double digit seed doesn't give them a yellow brick road pass to Houston.  Richmond is a giant killer, VCU is riding that "underdog" roll, and Florida State is peaking at the right time and have one of the better defenses they will face this season.  They very well might make the Final 4 just to spite me, but it won't be an easy road.
As far as teams that are headed home, I have no sympathy for.  It's easy to make excuses, but ultimately you put yourself in that situation in the first place.  Kansas State was matched against an underseeded Wisconsin team.  Purdue coach Matt Painter suspended one of his key players.  Well, KSU put themselves as a 5 seed with their mid-season struggles.  Had they played to their potential all year, they'd be a #1 or #2 seed.  Purdue had an opportunity at a 1 seed but lost to Iowa to close the season and the first game of the conference tournament against MSU.  Texas fans are complaining about the 5 second call, but they put themselves in that situation.  They trailed most of the game.  If they're that good, they should have been leading.  I am very bummed that my 2 favorite teams got eliminated this round, but there's no point in dwelling on it.  A million different things could have been done differently, but you can't go back in time to change it.  At the risk of sounding like my father, there are more important things to worry about.  The sun will still come up tomorrow.  Time marches on.  The world is still turning.  Onward and upward...