 |
||||||||||||
Finally
the Four The Final Four is set with Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State and Louisville. Blue-Bloods, indeed. When you consider that Kentucky is making their 15th appearance, Kansas (14th), Ohio State (11th) and Louisville (9th) Final Four appearances, then you realize that you are talking about some distinguished programs making the trek to New Orleans. When you also add the dimension of a semi-final match-up between arch-rivals Kentucky and Louisville.....watch out. This is going to be a crazy scene this weekend in the Big Easy. I read that the in-state Final Four meeting is the first since Ohio State and Cincinnati hooked up in the title game back in 1962. It's only happened three previous times. I can't wait to go back down to New Orleans....I was there a few months ago for the BCS title game between Bama and LSU, and the return visit should be equally fun and volatile. There is always heartbreak during March Madness, too. I can only imagine what UNC fans, coaches and players are thinking after the Heels headed to St. Louis without the services of Kendall Marshall. While Stilman White played ok, the team wasn't the same. Kansas closed the deal by shutting down UNC down the stretch. It had to be sweet for Bill Self and Jayhawk Nation to beat Roy Williams and to win in the state of Missouri in the process. It was a daily double for Kansas. As it turns out, ESPN's Doug Gottlieb was right (finally), that UNC would be heading home after their visit to St. Louis. Syracuse has to be sick, too. A great season ended earlier than expected thanks to Fab Melo's academics and a Buckeye team that would not be denied. I thought the game was poorly officiated, but players make plays and the Buckeyes are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2007. March Madness always produces great storylines....and this year is no different. The biggest story heading into the final weekend of the season surrounds John Calipari.....and if Coach Cal can cut down the nets for the first time in his career. A national title would also be #8 for Kentucky. I can't wait to get down to New Orleans.....even though it feels like I just left. The locals know how to host a party, and the four teams coming to this bash know how to rock. Welcome back, Tiger. Tiger Woods won Arnold's tournament for the 7th time in his career. Tiger has now captured 72 PGA Tour victories, and he's only one win away from tying Jack Nicklaus as the #2 winner of golf tourneys on the Tour. For the record, Sam Snead won 82 in his brilliant career. It should also be noted that in his 6 previous wins at Bay Hill, Tiger never finished worse than 6th at the Masters, winning three times. That's a good indicator, if you believe in trends. Tiger's victory on Sunday was his first on the PGA Tour since September of 2009.....it feels like it's been a decade since we last saw him hoist a trophy of note. He's been telling anybody within earshot that his game was close.....he was pretty good in every category, this past week. I can't wait to see what happens at Augusta. I spent some quality time in Nashville over the weekend, hosting some shows and events for SiriusXM and their subscribers. It was the first time that I spent any time in Music City, USA....and I really loved it. I'm not a big fan of country music, but I loved the vibe and the people. The city was alive and it was an absolute blast. I hope I have a reason to go back so I can indulge in some of what the place has to offer. The next time I return, I'll bring some NC BBQ recipes.....it was the only part of the trip that needed immediate improvement. The NFL really set the sports world on its ear last week, from Peyton Manning's Denver decision to Roger Goodell's penalties to the New Orleans Saints. I really respected Goodell's position....it was a total no-BS call. The commish has positioned himself as a guy that is out to protect the players from harm and injury. Has he gone beyond the call of duty and "softened" the game? Perhaps. But you must admire the position he took against the Saints. It's pretty simple.....you better not lie to the big man, either. If you get caught, you pay the price....and there is no doubt that the Saints organization is feeling the wrath of Commissioner Goodell. I just wonder if other major sports organizations will follow suit and get tougher with their respective sport? I thought it was a breath of fresh air......of course, they are probably disagreeing profusely in the Big Easy. I picked up the Sports Illustrated Baseball Issue in the airport as I was heading to Nashville. As a huge fan of the San Francisco Giants, I was curious to read where they placed my boys in the NL West. I was pleased to read that SI picks my Giants as not only the team to beat in the NL West, but they pick my Giants to the NL pennant and to go to the World Series. SI likes the Los Angeles/Anaheim/Orange County Angels (or whatever they are called) to be the champions of the American League and eventually beat my SF Giants in the World Series like they did ten years ago. I'm just glad Albert Pujols is on the cover.....anybody got a problem with the SI cover jinx? I don't believe in that stuff.....but I am pumped about my SF Giants staying relatively healthy and getting back to the playoffs. |
|
|||||||||||
