Or you could do it like the post office.

To steal a phrase used by every sportscaster around this time of year, "...and then there were four."  Here we are, the Final Four is set and the bill for Detroit is as follows, UCONN vs. Michigan State and Villanova vs. UNC.  

UCONN has looked like the most complete and dominant team so far in this tournament.  AJ Price and Jeff Adrien have gone to work and Stanley Robinson is an emerging star on this team.  UCONN has all the pieces to not only make it to the championship game but to win the entire thing.  They have a hall of fame coach, a stand out point guard, a dominant big man, and enough guys to get the job done on both the perimeter and down low.  Do not be so quick to count Michigan State out.  Tom Izzo is March.  In the past 11 years Michigan State has been to five Final Fours.  Whether you're down with Sparty or not that is an impressive feat.  State doesn't have the star power but they will compete.  Not only that you have to give an advantage to Michigan State in the fact that they will be playing in front of a home crowd.  However, even in front of a home crowd back in December, Michigan State got waxed by UNC at Ford Field.  I don't think past history will have anything to do with the outcome of the game.  I just think on paper UCONN is the much better team and I think they go on to win and make it into the championship game.  

I wish I would've paid attention to what I told myself and others back in October/November as college basketball was gearing up.  "I think UNC will win the whole thing this year.  Four guys decided to come back with the sole purpose of doing one thing.  Win the championship."  That's what I said about 6 months ago.  Of course I picked Pittsburgh to win the entire thing and that certainly is not the case.  If I could I would go back and change some things in my bracket.  Going into this tournament UNC was just not looking like they could do it.  But, let's face some facts.  With the return of Ty Lawson they look unbeatable.  They have just been throttling teams and everyone is getting involved.  UNC also has the pieces to win the title: Hall of Fame coach, point guard who is dynamic with the rock, strong post presence, and dudes who can burn the silk.  Again, do not be so quick to toss 'Nova to the street.  They were superior underdogs against Pat Ewing's Georgetown Hoyas back in the day and against all odds won the entire thing.  This year they will once again be underdogs.  You have to think 'Nova is going to be in the mix just by the way they have battled all tournament.  I like Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham.  But I just don't know if 'Nova has what it takes to keep up with UNC.  In this case, 'Nova will be too small.  I think we're going to see a UCONN and UNC battle for a championship.

Cue up the circus music and start the coaching carousel.  Anthony Grant accepted the job at 'Bama, John Calipari is about to get paid mass straight at UK, and Tony Bennett is at UVA.  It was time for Grant to move on but I am not convinced that he is going to succeed at 'Bama.  John Calipari will get UK back into the top 25 but like my homie AB told me tonight, UK most likely doesn't make it back to the level it once was at during the Pitino and Tubby days.  The campus isn't really that big time for legit dudes these days and you have to bus to practice.  John Calipari will be successful at UK but maybe not to the level that the alumni would like to see.  I still think Gillespie got a raw deal there.  However, I will blame the search committee for hiring him in haste.  He may have not been the right choice for the job, but at least give the guy a chance to get his own people into his system and certainly don't fire a guy because he "doesn't get along with the administration."  Tony Bennett is at UVA.  Many people are probably like, "what the f?!"  They certainly have the right to be since the short list of candidates included: Tubby Smith, Jeff Capel, Anthony Grant, and Sean Miller.  Clearly Bennett's name was never in the mix.  But we don't always know what goes on behind closed doors.  Bennett is a defensive minded coach and has created the "pack line" defense.  For those of you unaware of "pack line" defense Xavier, Wake Forest, and other schools use the philosophy.  I love it and will use it if I ever become a coach.  The only glaring problem I see in this hire is that you're bringing a west coast guy to the east.  It will be tough for him to recruit early on.  But, I think eventually he gets the job done here.  UVA is going to have to be patient as the team is not quite ready to win right now.  It's going to take awhile before they are back and among the dudes at the top but the team can only go up and it starts right now with Bennett.

Sean Miller is staying put at Xavier.  I don't think we have anything to worry about for at least another season.  In my opinion and of course this is only opinion, I only see him leaving to very high level position in either the Big East and ACC.  Who's to say that he will leave?  But, if he does it is going to be a situation where the program is poised to win and win immediately.  As long as he is winning at Xavier I honestly don't see him leaving anytime soon.  You're going to see the program continue to grow.  Cintas Center is going to receive some changes over the next couple of years in terms of scoreboard technology.  Sean is going to continue to land high level homies.  I've been told that the two best players on the team didn't even play this year in Jordan Crawford and Mark "Cheekz" Lyons.  But, as long as Sean is there every player should strive to be like my man BJ Raymond.  BJ has left his legacy at Xavier.  He was the first recruit Sean landed as a head coach and look at the legacy he left.  That should say something about the talent Sean lands and the ability of him as a coach to get the best out of his players.  To me, as long as Sean is there, Sweet 16 should be expected every year if not better.  Keep up the great work Coach.  I got your back.

Eldrick is back.  He won his first tournament since going under the knife.  He was five shots down going into Sunday.  Of course he won in dramatic fashion with a crispy putt on 18 to seal the deal.  I don't follow golf as much as others do but I would say Tiger has to be a legitimate candidate to win "A Tradition Unlike Any Other" aka The Masters.  

Seth Curry is transferring to Duke.  That's pretty dumb Seth.

If the Cavs get home court throughout the playoffs they are going to slap face and win the title.  Is the NBA fixed?  Maybe.  I don't really look into it enough to say whether it is or not.  If you break it down the Cavs got Mo Williams for basically nothing and the Lakers for Pau Gasol for about the same price, nada.  I got 'Bron as MVP.  It may be biased it may not.  Regardless he's the man and nothing beats when "Flight number 23 is about to take off."

Unwar the guy who says, "just living the dream" when you ask him what's up?

--'Killa

Walter "Sweetness" Payton

This post will have nothing to do with The Sweetness but it was the first thing that came to my mind when thinking about the Sweet 16. I will try to provide amateur analyzation of the forth coming matchups that begin later this week.

I would like to begin with a little known fact. Who owns the rights to the term, "Sweet Sixteen?" It's not the NCAA if that's what you were thinking. My favorite professor, Dr. Kristi Sweeney dropped this knowledge on me at some point during my college career. I think she shared this tidbit of trivia in her Sport Law class. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) actually owns the rights to "Sweet Sixteen." The KHSAA trademarked the term in 1988. They use it to describe their own state basketball tournament. The KHSAA allows the NCAA to use the term exclusively for collegiate-level marketing. Drop that on your co-workers or homies and see how they feel about that.

Going against all tradition, all top three seeds made the Sweet 16. The remaining four teams are made up of a 12, 5, and two 4's. In probably the most surprising matchup we have Louisville against Arizona. Most of America has Lousiville here but I believe most of America does not have Arizona here. In fact, many people thought 'Zona didn't belong here. I think they have proven themselves. As much as I want to say Arizona is going to win this game, I just don't see it happening. However, between them and Cleveland State I think Arizona will give Louisville a better game. Nic Wise can handle the rock and Chase Budinger is a do all player. However, I think the combo of Terrence Williams, Earl Clark, and Samardo Samuels will be too much for the Wildcats. Louisville advances to the Elite 8.

Kansas and Michigan State will be playing a rematch game from earlier in the season. Oddly enough the first game was played at Ford Field to test the future site of the Final Four. Michigan State won that matchup by 13. Clearly both team are different than they were back then but I think Michigan State has an extra motivating factor in this game. Throwing all personnel aside, all Tom Izzo has to do is throw a picture of Ford Field up in the locker room and say, "Fellas, with two wins we're going home and you're playing in the Final Four in front of a home crowd." Don't get me wrong, I think Kansas has really surprised a lot of people including Bill Self. If you would've told him that they would be in the Sweet Sixteen this year after losing 90% of their scoring he would've probably laughed at you in your face. But, here they are and playing pretty good basketball. This game is a tough decision for me, but in the end I like Michigan State mainly because Tom Izzo is as good as anyone else in March. In fact, since he's been at Michigan State he has lead each class to the Final Four. This senior class he has right now has not been to the Final Four, I think it's about time they come home and play at Ford Field in front of The Izzone.

UCONN and Purdue is the first game in the West Region. Ever since Robbie Hummel has been healthy Purdue has been clicking on all cylinders. Purdue won the Big Ten Tournament and played very solid against Northern Iowa and Washington. To me UCONN has been the most dominant team and makes me want to change my mind about who I think is going to win this tournament, however, my picks are already in. They have been so dominant that their combined margin of victory in their first two games is 82 points! Ouch. Jeff Adrien and AJ Price have been playing like men possessed. Hasheem Thabeet hasn't even done anything noteworthy besides being told to sit back down by Jim Calhoun when he tried to check in against Texas A&M. I'm sorry Purdue, but I like UCONN in this game.

Perhaps the most intriguing game and best game, at least on paper, to watch will be the Missouri and Memphis game. Strap your seatbelts on, this game is going to be a track meet. There actually may be a combined 200 points scored in this game. Between Mike Anderson's "40 Minutes of Hell" and John Calipari's run and gun style you're going to see a lot of points scored. Memphis has not lost a game since Tyreke Evans has been put at the point guard position. Memphis has been here before. Missouri is just now getting back into the tournament since Quin "Greaseball" Snyder left. I really want to say Missouri is going to win this game, but I just can't do it. Not right now. Memphis is going to win this game solely on the experience factor. I feel like if you're going to get into a run and gun battle, Memphis is the wrong team to do it with. Not to mention this team is fresh off a runner-up performance last year. I think Memphis is battle tested and with members of this team having been there before I like them to advance to the Elite 8.

I'm halfway through my analysis and the World Baseball Classic is still bad. Way to not represent USA in a tournament being held on your own soil. Hey Bud, take a pay cut ($18.5 million/year), stop thinking this was ever a good idea (at least play it in the middle of the season or something), and don't ever make the All-Star game end in a tie ever again.

I love the Syracuse and Oklahoma matchup. Syracuse is one of the hottest teams in basketball right now and Oklahoma has more or less been dominant all year. If you don't think Jonny Flynn is one of the best, if not the best point guard in the country then you must be crazy. By the way, he's only a sophomore. Arinze Onuaku is a bruiser down low. Eric Devendorf may be a thug but he will make you pay from deep and he's not scared to shoot and make a big time shot i.e. Big East Tournament. He also dropped 84 points in four days. Andy Rautins has a mowhawk and is just as lethal from deep as Eric. Paul Harris isn't too shabby himself. All five I just mentioned average above 10 ppg. To me a team with 5 dudes above 10/game is pretty impressive and tough to beat. Oklahoma has the obvious player of the year on their team. A real nice point man in Austin Johnson. Willie Warren is the best, least talked about freshman in the country at just under 15 ppg. This is going to be a heck of a game. Syracuse wins though.

North Carolina has tournament veteran and mid-major favorite Gonzaga. No need to analyze, UNC wins. This is too easy. I think North Carolina is too deep, too talented, and just the better team in this game. Gonzaga certainly has its weapons, but needed a last second layup to beat Western Kentucky. With Ty Lawson back in the lineup UNC is just too tough to beat.

Russ Pennel, interim coach at Arizona probably won't be offered the job at Arizona which is unfortunate considering what he's done with the team this year but he certainly has done a nice job auditioning for potential vacancies. As Russ leaves look for Mark Few to get the offer here. I think this is finally the big time job that he takes. Jeff Capel makes the most sense at UVA right now. Capel is a Richmond native, spent time at Old Dominion University, played in the ACC, and wants to get back into the ACC. Why not do so and come back home at the same time. Oklahoma will be solid next year but not outstanding. UVA arguably has the best facility in the ACC which makes recruiting fairly easy. Other names to be in the mix at UVA include Anthony Grant and Sean Miller. Don't worry Xavier fans, Sean isn't going anywhere. Capel I've heard is the best bet and makes the most sense in my opinion.

In the second most intriguing game we have Villanova and Duke. This game should be guard dominated as both teams are lead by their perimeter play. Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher are big time players for Nova. Gerald Henderson has exploded onto the scene this year and is as dominant as anyone else in the country. Jay Wright is well on his path to the hall of fame and Coach K is a sure fire Hall of Famer. Basically, this game has all the ingredients of a thriller. In the end, I think Duke is the better team. However, I like Villanova's style and having played in the Big East all year gives an edge to 'Nova. Night in and night out Nova is playing the best of the best. Nova pulls out a close one.

Xavier and Pitt has the best storyline, Sean Miller is going up against his alma mater where he dominated as a point guard. Some of his records still stand at Pitt. Pitt clearly is the favorite in this game. They have been just as good as anyone else this season. DeJuan Blair is a hoss. Sam Young is capable of doing big things. Lavance Fields is a real solid point guard. With Xavier you have a team that is very balanced. Each night you never know who's looking to lay the pipe. You can try and shut down one dude but you'll just end up getting burnt by another dude. The key for Xavier in this game is to get Blair in foul trouble, not necessarily in the first four minutes of the game. But, at some point he has to sit and sit for an extended amount of time. Xavier must also limit Young to less than 20. Both tasks are not easy and it's going to take a monster effort by Xavier's team defense, boxing out skills, and ability to pound the ball down low. Jason "Buddy" Love needs to have a monster effort. Frease and Jamel "Clean" McClean need to continue to get better and have their best games. BJ "Or You Could Do It Like the Post Office" Raymond needs to light it up. Dante and TuTu gotta handle that rock like it's the Hope Diamond. Hey Redford, don't be scared to show America your range. CJ, time to get to the rack and finish with authority like I know you can. Derrick needs to rebound offensively and defensively, stay out of foul trouble, and have the outside game clicking. Basically, Xavier needs to being their best shot to pull this one out. Lets face the facts, they're playing with "house money" as my friend Pete said. Everyone is predicting Pitt in this one and not giving Xavier a chance. Xavier is due for a big time effort game. They are due for some breaks to go their way. They are due for a little blessing from Saint Francis Xavier. They are due for Joe Sunderman Sr. to narrate another "Run" DVD (cue chills running through my body). Byron needs another, "DO IT BJ, DO IT BJ!" moment. In the end, this season has been a success because how many of us were saying Sweet Sixteen at the beginning of the season? Xavier played the toughest schedule on record, won the Puerto Rico jam, won the regular season A-10, and reached the Sweet 16. Sean Miller is arguably the best at what he does. All in all, if Xavier is in it at the end they have just as good of a chance as anyone else to win this game. Do what we do fellas.

I challenge you to watch this and not get goosebumps.

War Bill Raferty and Gus Johnson in March.

-'Killa

65 Pieces of Silver

In my attempt to copy Pat Forde and his style on ESPN.com, I'm going to try and present to you all 65 things to watch for as the NCAA tournament nears.

We start in the Missouri Valley Conference.  Once the land of multiple "mid-major" giants, Northern Iowa is a sure fire lock this year after knocking off Illinois State.  Kwadzo Ahelegbe (1) may be the guy to watch on this squad.  He seems to have clutch written all over him after he dropped 8 of his 12 points in OT.  

While most of us get down with the Atlantic 10, since it is SB '09 right now lets go walking on the sun like Smashmouth.  ETSU is going dancing.  Mike Smith (2) wants to take his team deep and he has proven that.  Over his last 10 games he's averaged over 20 ppg.  Unfortunately the Bucs may get stuck with a 15 or 16 seed.  Time to lace 'em up Mike.

Out of the Ohio Valley Conference we got my dudes from Morehead State.  Let me first state that not a single team in this conference is from Ohio.  But, that's besides the point.  They beat Austin Peay in the tournament final.  I was actually pulling for Peay because my dad dropped this chant on me (I guess he played against A. Peay back in the day and they had some dude who's last name was "Fly").  Big Chuck, "Fly's open, let's go Peay!"  Regardless, Morehead State is dancing and they are looking for More.....Head.  They got this cat named Kenneth Faried (3) he is the real deal.  This guy averages 14 and 13 which are beast type numbers no matter what conference you're in.  The guy is 6'8" 215 so he's nimble and quick on his feet.  

Radford is coming out of the Big South Conference.  A conference they dominated all year.  However, I'm not really down with their style mainly because of this white stiff they have on their squad who thinks he's more black than Marshall Mathers.  VMI would've been my sexy pick out of the Big S. but that's not the case.  The Holmes Twins on VMI make for a heck of a story worthy of Vern Lundquist narrating on a Saturday afternoon in March.  Unfortunately, we'll be hearing about Artsiom Parakhouski (4) who is just this white stiff but, I'll give him his due he had 26 and 18 in the championship game and is the catalyst for this team.

We all thought Davidson and Steph Curry would run the Southern Conference but that pattern was full.  Chattanooga stole an at large bid from someone and they too are dancing.  There is nothing too exciting about Chattanooga besides their nick name, Mocs (5).  They went 18-16 on the season and they never had a winning streak of more than five games.  But, give them some props they are dancing and Cincinnati is not.  Suck one Mick Cronin.

I love VCU.  Mainly because Anthony Grant is the man and he is so good the University continues to take loans out just to keep him there.  However, I think after this season Anthony is moving on to a much more high level job.  Remember, VCU beat Duke in the NCAA tournament back in 2007.  I suggest you watch VCU if you get the chance too.  Eric Maynor (6) is a legitimate NBA talent and he makes the Rams go.  I like Anthony Grant and Maynor to have this team making some noise over the next week or so.

North Dakota State Univeristy (7).  There is only one reason to have a soft spot for this team.  This is their first year playing Div. I ball and they are going dancing.  That's a good enough story for me.

Western Kentucky is back and poised to make another deep run.  Last year they lost a close game to UCLA in the Sweet 16 round.  Orlando Mendez-Valdez (8) should draw enough attention from other teams to allow other guys on this team to step up.  I only saw these guys play one other time this year and within the first minute of the game Mendez- Valdez dove on the floor on the sideline and busted his head open on a chair.  If he makes another play like that in the tournament it will probably show up on One Shining Moment the night of April 6th.

Cleveland State stole another at large bid from someone.  Them and Butler battled all season long.  Butler had a 2-0 lead in the season series going into the game and they were playing on their home court.  So all the chips were stacked against The Vikings.  However, Gary Waters (9) coached his team to a real nice win.

Cornell won the Ivy League.  They had the Defensive Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year on their squad.  Ryan Wittman (10) lead Cornell in scoring again for the third straight year and was a unanimous selection to First-Team All Ivy League.

Gonzaga is back in the tournament.  Is anyone surprised?  They own the WCC but St. Mary's did make it tough this year.  I think had Patty Mills been healthy all season we would be talking about St. Mary's right now.  It seems like Jeremy Pargo (11) has been at Gonzaga forever.  I love his game and I like him to help lead Gonzaga in the Dance toward a second weekend appearance.  I don't think they are as talented as they have been in the past.  But, they are a solid team who prepares well for March by beefing up their non-conference schedule.  Don't be surprised to see the 'Zags making plays again this year.

Siena defended its MAAC title and is back in the tournament this year.  I don't have a specific player to watch on this team, but, Kenny Hasbrouck is legit.  Bob Gavagan (12) was a manager with me at Xavier for two years but transferred to Siena.  He is still a manager and I swear it's a combination of his karma and Siena's talent that has Siena dancing.  An example of his karma is when he made his first road trip as a freshman to George Washington, Stanley Burrell captured Xavier fan's hearts by bottoming out a trey at the buzzer.  Coach Miller kept Bob on road trips that year until they lost to LaSalle in Double OT.

Portland State is back in the mix this year after being bounced out last year by Kansas.  Portland State may be able to play with the big dogs this year as they beat Gonzaga earlier this season.  Viking fans will be looking for Julius Thomas (13) to make more late game heroics.  If that's not good enough for you, Dupree Lucas played at Portland State.

Good ole' Mt. St. Marys put Robert Morris' boutonnière on and are headed to the dance.  Jeremy Chappell (14) is the guy to watch on this squad.  He is going to have to put up big time numbers if Bob Morris wants to advance.

American University laid pipe to Holy Cross to win the Patriot league.  They will be riding a 13 game win streak into the dance.  This is also their second straight appearance.  Garrison Carr (15) is the team leader and the main man for American.  He was the tournament MVP which tells me he's a PTP in big time situations.  He knocked down big time threes to swing the momentum.  He's got ice in his veins.  

Binghamton has done it!  They're dancing!  This is their first ever dance.  So, they are like a freshman in high school going to homecoming.  They had the balls to ask that hot freshman girl to the dance and she accepted.  DJ Rivera (16) is the big man down low getting the job done.  He averages a shade of 20 a game and about 7 rebounds as well.  The Bearcats probably won't be crowned homecoming king but they certainly will be looking to cut a rug up come Thursday.  It has also been brought to my attention that none of the coaches in the America East conference voted for any Binghamton players because most of them were academically inelgible last year.  So clearly, they have a chip on their shoulder.

Memphis is doing it again.  Is anyone surprised?  They haven't lost a C-USA game since 2006.  John C is really getting it done in M-Town.  The switch from Adidas to Nike certainly had no affect on their play this year.  They really turned it on come conference play.  However, who is going to challenge them?  Tulsa is probably the best competition they face.  No thanks Tulsa.  Tyreke Evans (17) is the man on this team.  I truly believe that he will be better than Derrick Rose in the league.  Ever since he has been put into the starting line up he's done it all and probably the main reason they are slapping once again.  Look for the Tigers to make another deep run in March.

The automatic bids continue to roll.  Out of the A-10 Temple just got a gift from Father Christmas about nine months early...they are going dancing.  I was really looking forward to promoting Aaron Jackson from Duquesne had the Dukes won.  Unfortunately, I'm pimping Dionte Christmas (18).  I don't want to blast this guy.  In fact, I'm going to do the opposite; I'm giving him some mad love.  He lead the A-10 in scoring the past three years.  This is extremely tough do in any conference let alone a conference where many teams often rely on one guy to do a lot of the work.  Kris Kringle helped lead Temple to the A-10 tourney title last year as well.  Don't be so quick to have Temple out early this year.  They waxed Tennessee this year and took it to a very talented Xavier team in the semi-finals of the tournament.  

We're going going, back back, to Cali.  USC is in the mix.  They knocked off a solid Arizona State team in the Pac-10 tournament.  Taj Boyd (19) is the guy to watch on this team.  Him and Orange Juice last year were a leathal combo.  Now that Juicy is gone Taj is one of the many solid dudes on this team.  I would also to make everyone aware of the fact that Master P's son is on this team so be sure to listen to some "It Ain't My Fault" this March.

Out of the Big 12 everyone though Oklahoma would roll, but we were left with Mizzou and a stingy Baylor team that was playing for their post season lives.  Mizzou got the best of the Bears and spoiled their chance at winning four games in four days.  I would like to give Mike Anderson (20) props for turning this program around after Quin Snyder left it in disarray.  

Remember the days of Andre Miller and Rick Majerus at Utah?  Yes, that would've been back in 1998.  Well, guess what?  The Utes have that swagga back.  They polished off San Diego State in the Mountain West tournament.  Let me tell you this.  They have one of the biggest bodies down low keeping the block hot.  Luke Nevill (21) straight out of Australia gets the job done.  Averaging close to a double-double this 7'-2", 265 pound man is a load to handle.  In his career at Utah he has scored almost 2000 points.  Keep an eye on this big boy.

Boom goes the dynamite.  The Morgan State Bears are dancing.  Does anyone know anything about the MEAC?  I don't.  As I researched this squad they appeared to have taken control during conference play.  Reggie Holmes (22) averages about 17 points per game.  I can't really justify picking them to win.  But at least they are one of the best 65 teams in the country.  That's something Cincinnati cannot say.

Akron won their first ever MAC tournament for a bid to the dance.  Over the last month leading up to the tourney the Ak-Rowdy had only won four games.  However, they won four games in four days to go dancing.  Anthony "Humpty" Hitchins (23) is a freshman and contributes heavily for the Zips.  Not to mention his nick name is pretty stellar.  Keep in mind, no MAC team has won a NCAA tourney game since 2003.

Louisville knocked off arguably the hottest team during championship week in Syracuse.  I pretty much figured they were destined to win the Big East tournament after that 6-OT thriller.  They just ran out of gas.  Louisville is legit and could easily go to the Final Four if not the championship game.  I have been talking about a lot of freshman and while Louisville is filled with talent like Terrence Williams, I think Samardo Samuels (24) is the guy to watch as the 'Ville starts dancing.  He's a big body down low and can hold his own against the big boys.

Out of the good old SWAC is my team Alabama State.  As they celebrated their berth to the dance some dude kept pointing to something shaved in his head and then in the background someone unloaded a water cooler on the coach.  Probably not a smart idea since you're still on the court.  I figure their pep band is probably pretty good and can play some good tracks during 30-second and full timeouts.  If you don't pick 'Bama State to win at least one game then you must be crazy especially when they have a dude on the team named Chief Kickingstallionsims (25).   Chief averages 8.8 and 4.4.  

Utah State once laid claim to the longest active winning streak in the country this season.  They are in after winning the WAC tournament.  It was played on Nevada's home court so I'll give Utah State credit for going on the road and winning.  They have three dudes who average in double figures with Gary Wilkinson (26) leading the charge at 17 a game.

Cal State Northridge punched their ticket late last night.  They knocked off my dudes from Pacific to win the Big West.  Tremaine Townsend (27) averages close to a double-double and could be looking to be the king Matador when it comes time to dance.

Stephen F. Austin is repping the Southland conference in the tourney.  They knocked UTSA out in the championship game.  The Lumberjacks (28) going to be a team that a lot of people will pick to win.  But they are second in the country in defense and no one wants to go up against a mid-major that is second in the country in defense.  That just spells upset. 

Duke won the ACC and did so by beating a very solid Florida State team.  Once again they are poised to make another deep run in March.  They play very sound on both offense and defense.  No one will want a piece of them again.  However, last year West Virginia sent them packing early.  Nolan Smith (29) is their young point guard who plays very hard and does a lot of good things for them.  If you haven't read the story on ESPN or seen the feature about him on Outside the Lines I suggest you do so.  Nolan has more than just basketball motivating him to be better.

Mississippi State won the SEC and did it by winning four game in four days like Georgia did last year.  Somewhere Lawrence Roberts and Winsome Frazier are smiling.  Jarvis Varnado (30) is the big man down low that brings his lunch pail to work everyday.  Much like Ken Johnson on the 1999 Ohio State Final Four team Jarvis swats anything that comes his way.

Purdue won their first ever Big Ten tournament championship by knocking off the Buckeyes.  While Purdue suffered injuries throughout the year they battled hard.  If they are knocking down threes they are tough to beat.  E'Twaun Moore (31) is one of those bad boys who can burn silk from deep.

One of the baddest dudes to watch as this tourney gets rolling is DeJuan Blair (32).  He is a man child and absolutely destroys anyone and anything in his path.  He could probably be a tight end in the NFL if he wanted to just like Antonio Gates.  Just look at how he blasted Hasheem Thabeet.  This dude is getting a double-double before halftime most times.  He must stay out of foul trouble.  In all of Pitt's games against West Virginia this year he fouled out.  End result, loss.

West Virginia has been a funny team all year long.  But they are solid and held their own in a tough Big East.  Everyone loves Thuggins because of the way he coaches and the type of players he signs.  One of these players is Devin Ebanks (33).  Ebanks can rebound the hell out of the ball and as his offensive game improves he is going to be a force.  Look for him to play a key role if West Virginia wants to advance.

West Virginia will advance at least to the second round because they are playing Dayton (34) in the first round.  They suck and have no one worth mentioning to watch.  All of their players are dumb.  

What's also dumb is the fact that Wisconsin got into the tournament.  But I'm not here to take sides.  Trevon Hughes (35) is a really solid player and is liable to catch fire at any moment.  Sticking with the Big Ten, Evan Turner (36) from Ohio State is one of the smoothest players I have seen play this year.  He has an all around legit game.  If you want to compare him to someone in the league look right at Grant Hill.  He's got inside and outside game.  He can do it mid-range and he can get to the rack and rock that rim.  He also handles the rock, rebounds, and defends.  Tom Izzo has Sparty back to true March form.  They are going to be a tough out for anyone.  Raymar Morgan (37) is very good.  Raymar is surrounded by a lot of other solid players as well.  Don't be surprised to see the Spartans going deep on your brackets.  Minnesota was the surprise this year in the Big Ten.  But, you can't doubt Tubby Smith and his ability to coach and recruit.  He did a phenomenal job toward the end of last season which set the tone for the Gophers this year.  One guy everyone should pay attention to is Lawrence Westbrook (38).  Westbrook is Minnesota's go to guy and always gets the attention of the opposing team's best defender.  Yet, he still puts up big time numbers.  Illinois got into the dance.  If you feel like you need knowledge about them I can drop this on you.  Mike Davis (39) is the guy to watch on Illinois.  No, this is not Mike Davis who coached at IU and is now at UAB.  

If it's dudes who rip the twine you're looking for, go no further than UNC's Wayne Ellington (40).  Note to all defenses, close on on Ellington, he will light you up and his range is pretty deep.  Jeff Teague (41) is another man you don't want to heat up.  Once he gets going Wake Forest is unstoppable.  Teague not only rips the twine is the engine that makes the car go for Wake.  Mike Montgomery's Cal Bears have a sniper in their line up.  Jerome Randle (42) is knocking down 47% of his threes he hoists.  Better guard him.  The Atlantic 10 had a rude awakening when Brad Redford (43) entered the scene.  Xavier's tiny little sharp shooter has the green light to grip and rip.  When he rips that ball is more often than not to find the bottom of the cylinder.  When I say he has no range I mean it.  Check out the Dayton game film from March 5th and let me know from how deep he pulled up from in the second half.  AJ Abrams (44) has the green light as well.  Rick Barnes down at Texas has something special with Abrams and he will torch you if you don't prepare well enough or refuse to switch on screens with him.  UCLA has one of the best point guards in the college game that can light it up from deep.  Darren Collison (45) will not only blow by you but he's not scared to lace it in your eye.  Clemson isn't scared to hoist from long range.  They have a three headed monster.  Three dudes that shoot 40% or better from deep.  KC Rivers (46) is one of the three and if you're not careful he'll make you pay.  

If you didn't think 'Cuse was winning the Big East tournament after that 6-OT thriller against UCONN then you're probably not a fan of college basketball.  I definitely thought they had that thing in the bag.  Unfortunately, they ran out of gas about 10 minutes too soon.  The heart and soul of 'Cuse is Jonny Flynn (47).  Flynn is one of the most likable players in the game today.  He got the MVP in the Big East tournament and 'Cuse didn't even win.  That should say something about what he brings to the table.  Another special guard in the Big East is Scottie Reynolds (48).  Scottie just goes about his business and at the end of the day when you look at the box score you'll find yourself wondering when and how he filled up the stat sheet like he did.  Another stat sheet stuffer from the Big East is UCONN's Jeff Adrien (49).  Adrien doesn't really get the praise he should because of all the attention Hasheem receives.  However, UCONN isn't a #1 seed without Adrien.  This tournament is really going to be missing a great player.  Marquette will not have Dominic James (50) due to injury.  This is too bad because it's his senior year and he had the Golden Eagles flying high before getting hurt.  Believe me when I say Marquette will play inspired basketball to try and get W's and rings for their homie Dominic.  

Arizona barely got into the tournament.  It's been a weird season for the Wildcats with Olsen stepping down and Brandon Jennings firing off Europe instead of 'Zona.  Someone who really has gotten lost in the fold but a legit talent is Chase Budinger (51).   Chase does it all and no one really gives him the time of day.  His stats speak for themselves: 18, 6, and 3.  Oh by the way he's a white guy with hops and he can stroke it from deep.  Washington is another team that can make a deep run and it's all because of the big boy Jon Brockman (52).  Brockman is a force.  He's not quite DeJuan Blair, but he could easily be the west coast version of big DeJuan.  A once player of the year candidate from Arizona State, James Harden (53) is to the Sun Devils that Chase B. is to the Wildcats.  Once again, he is a dude he does it all.

Al Skinner and the Boston College Golden Eagles are in the mix.  They tend to ride the Rice train.  By Rice train I mean Tyrese Rice (54).  Even as a guard he stuffs the state sheet pretty good.  Just ask North Carolina if he's the real deal.  Maryland slid in as an at large team which is good because I'm a Gary Williams guy.  However, Greivis Vazquez (55) is not my guy.  He's good, I'll give him that.  But, I don't think he got the memo when he opened his mouth and said Cameron Indoor was his court.  No Greivis, that wasn't the case.  Just stick to playing and less talking.  Al Thornton has moved on to the Clippers but they still got a bad man down there in Tallahassee.  Tony Douglas (56) from Florida State was recently described to me as being just as bad as Buster (Douglas).  Tony has real nice skill and he certainly isn't a guy you want to get hot if you're playing against Florida State.  

The defending champs, the Kansas Jayhawks will once again be Rock Chalk Jayhawking perhaps all the way to Detroit.  They were a little talked about team but slowly but surely they rolled through the Big 12 and won the regular season title.  Sherron Collins (57) is what's left of last year's squad and he has held it down this year.  The Aggies of Texas A&M are dancing.  This time it's minus Acie Law IV.  However, they do have Donald Sloan (58).  Sloan is an all around good player.  In their loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 tournament Sloan dropped 22.  There is no longer a Sutton at Oklahoma State but there is a Travis Ford (59).  Ford took the chance and left UMASS for a much more high profile job.  In his first year he got the Cowboys into the dance.  Nice work Travis.  If we're talking Big 12 then we gotta talk Okalahoma.  If we're talking Oklahoma then we gotta talk Blake Griffin (60).  Blake should get the player of the year award this year in college.  That's all I really gotta say about the guy.  Oklahoma is legit and I think they are about to make a run all the way to Detroit.

There's no Fab Five but Michigan is back in the tournament.  While Manny R was out trying to get paid by the Dodgers, Manny Harris (61) was making it rain in the Big 10.  Manny and Michigan laid it to Duke and UCLA this year.  Don't be too surprised if they ruin someone's March this year.  A common squad in March lately comes from the 'Nap.  Butler is dancing again all at the hands of a young coach and a white guy who wears #54 that's not a stiff.  Matt Howard (62) is a real nice player.  Trent Johnson at LSU could very well win the coach of the year award.  LSU went on a tear after losing to Xavier in January and won the SEC West.  Marcus Thornton (63) drops almost 21 a game and has the range to do it inside or out.  As much as I hate Tennessee and Bruce Pearl because I think they do everything the wrong way and are this decade's version of the 1990's UC Bearcats I think JP Prince (64) is real nice.  He's not scared to rise up and put one on your head from time to time.  The mormons got their say and BYU is dancing.  Before Wake rolled out there and snapped their home court win streak they were one of the hottest teams in basketball.  Lee Cummard (65) is their best player and is looking to establish the fact that mormons can slang the rock too.

This is my favorite time of the year.  Nothing beats filling out your bracket.  I cannot wait for Tuesday night for that play in game.  This Thursday through Sunday are easily the 4 best days of the year.  On April 6th we will be crowning a new champ and already looking forward to November.  Be easy.  

War Sean Miller because he's my hero.

'Killa

BOOM No one reads anymore

Hoose is playing by himself. I am going to name drop. Deal with it. Snowman here and we have some bad pong play out of a few donks. This is a train of thought blog as daylight savings time turns courtest of sammich and donk whooaaaaaa.

Basically (sammich) its 425 am. Typical between best friends right now. We have fights breaking out. Verbally assaulting each other. Hoose is threatening to pour beer all over his naked chest. So fucking hairy too. I can hear in the distance that J and Jplott seem to be beating each other with cinder blocks. It will all end okay.

I saw Slumdog today. I also just heard viva la vida played by an african american person. This is a damn shame. To take Chris Martin's and company's work and trash it with smacking bitches asses and drinking patron. I am absolutely appalled. I am informed this rappers name is Lil Scraggy. Look people. Rap is fucking embarrassing. It takes zero talent. If you mix your own songs I will give some credit (timabland) OR if you are a giant music symbol such as jay-z, then credit is due.

Plott is on fire in pong. It is getting ridiculous. Although a certain individual has a girlfriend he keeps trying to hook up with some akron slut that is not currently in attendance. I totally promote this by the way. I feel that flirting without action (FWA) should be encouraged. It keeps the mind sane and the penis ready to perform.

Jay just forgot he had food. BY FOOD HE MEANS GRAHAM CRACKERS. THATS NOT FOOD. FOOD IS FAT. TACO BELL.

I do not agree with the beratement. I wanted tac and nooone would drive. I cant drive I dont like jail. Im little they would like me there. Taco bell should deliver. Someone just hit a a behind the back shot here. Its getting ugly. Plott looks like babe ruth again a jeremy sowers, otherwise its not fair. he isnt human. HIM is on the tv radio thing, if they are taking a 666 to my heart i dunno why they are on but at least its not nickleback genre. they are yelling about being on fire. Pete might go trolling. Trolling means if you do not hit a cup but your partner does you have to sit under the table for the next game. that would be fantastic. He hit a cup. Dammit.

Im not wearing a shirt next game. Need to change karma, plott is not human. This game is taking forever. I think I turned 100 while these mules threw some white balls around. Who is crooked X? MONTY'S.

Sammich- No one reads. Log's blog was way better. Suck it mac. Boot me. The day when someone got Bibby's sotry on truhoop. I guess buzz got Dana Q on chat. J and Wass just went to taco bell. This was after wass repeatedly said he could not see. I love drunk driving.

No tac. I wanted Tac. tac tac tac. it was closed. I feel like i lost my first born. Hooose is playing like 2v 1. ugh. cheese double cheese.

They got rally's. Wass is fat. 5am hits. Right now Ed MCbread is mcbreading his girlfriend. PLott belly has just been poked. I am personally about to attack wass for his sammich. Nvm. Plott just DDT'd jay;s head. No joke

Wait
Jay is about to Flip onto a couch. Weak perofomnace. I will give him a 4.5 A nate robinson flip- he pushed off. here comes another. He is pissed that we called him out on the nate rob.

"I DONT KNOW WHAT IM GOING FOR." He just backed down and go called out so now hes pissed. Nope backed out again. GZood thing no one reads this.

i am weaksuace man.

Jay needs his dick touched. He is looking for a wingman bad. ANYONE WILL DO.

My Roommate Brad (Enema)

Currently, my roommate Brad has not shit in a week. He can feel the turd at the opening of the anus but cannot push it out. He drank 2 cups of prescription laxative and still could not shit. He is on some benecol fiber shit for old people. This is the first ever live blog of an enema.

2:15 pm -He just got back from the doctor for the 2nd day in a row. 

2:16 pm- He weighed in at 219. He is about to give himself a fucking enema. This is a bottle of fluid. The bottle has a long plastic tip that he has to move side to side into his asshole and squirt until shit falls out of his ass. 

2:22 PM he has entered the bathroom. I am going to go listen, but not watch as it may be uncomfortable for both of us. I would see his meat and tackle.

2:24pm - weird groans. sounds like he may be enjoying it, but still sounds like discomfort.

2:25pm- everything is quiet. i think its going in now. "I cant even tell you how awkward this is." well it must be in.

2:26 pm - 2 grunts. 3. 

2:27 pm- My roommate Bob has closed his door out of disgust and is playing The Fray rather loudly to drone out any noise. Personally, I would have picked dysentery gary to lighten the mood. (that was funny). 

2:28 pm- "ITS HORRIBLE. IM STILL GOING TO TELL MY GF THIS WASNT BAD SO WE CAN DO IT IN THE BUTT SOME DAY." Fantastic idea. However the tube is a pencil dick. So I would use something like a baseball bat on my own ass. Just a thought. 

2:30pm- Hootie and the Blowfish is now playing. Very uncomfortable noises coming from the bathroom. I am thinking about leaving, but then this live blog would be ruined. I am committed.

2:31- The burrito bowl I had yesterday is starting to hit me. I need to shit. However I feel like I will wait an hour not to mock my constipated roommate.

2:32- I just heard some kerplunk, kind of like a stone going into water. Now I heard a waterfall. I think it might have worked. But then again it may have been him dropping the enema in the toilet. This is really uncomfortable now.

2:35 pm- Sounds like poop to me. I hope so too. The poor kid has been crying himself to sleep out of his anguish of not being able to pass logs. Toilet Paper, but its for his nose. Kind of interesting, I am not sure what to make of that move. On a side note, what if he looks in the toilet and sees his intestines just sitting there and then he dies and face plants into his own enema ass covered intestines.

2:38- flush #1.

2:40 The exit. Brad has pushed out about a dozen golf ball- racquetball sized balls of poo. He claims there is more, and I hope there is. The toilet is clogged so I get the chance to examine. They seem normal. Nevermind. They flushed but I think that they were so hard that they are now stuck in our pipes. We are looking at some Draino. "They felt like bowling balls coming out."

Don't be surprised if you see a second live enema blog coming up later today.

Rant: A new America, yes I am a Republican.

Some thoughts from the last week:

- President Obama is completely changing the face of this country. Say goodbye to the old America. A country founded on hard work, responsibility, and freedom. Say hello to socialism. President Obama is a one-hundred percent "big government" president, regardless of what he may say. Plan for things to be controlled by government that you never thought possible. Just last night I saw a spot on the news that the new stimulus plan has an idea for government controlled birth control. President Obama is discouraging people to get a jobs and implanting the "government owes me and will take care of me" seed.

-The young economic stimulus plan is a bad idea. Now I am not a financial analyst by any means, but the proof is in the pudding folks. No one is investing, the market is bad. The fact is people don't trust their money in a market where corrupt CEO's go unwatched and unpunished. Rather than proposing a huge stimulus plan that is bursting at the seams with pork, maybe we should focus on regulating and policing the operations of publicly traded companies and their CEO's. Put confidence in the people with the money to spend. The people need to know that their money is not going towards funding terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (Iran) for example. (cough) GE. Sorry, I do not have much incentive to invest my money into a company that does business with Iran.

Furthermore, Obama's plan to tax the rich is absolutely ludicrous. We are increasing taxes on the only people in this country who have (had) enough funds to invest and pump up the economy. Plus, I don't know where Obama is going to find these people to tax. Last time I checked, most of the wealthy population has a lot of their money in the market.

The market is a beat=loss of money=loss of wealth=nothing to tax=beat

- Liberal media is so bad. If I had my way I would lock Woopie Gohlberg up for life. I saw her rant on Rush Limbaugh. Although, I feel like I am wasting my brain power when I turn any of my attention towards the ladies of "The View," I couldn't help myself. In case you missed it. Woopie said that Rush's speech was a "crappy thing to do." I guess, we aren't supposed to criticize the president because he is the new messiah. She insisted that the stimulus plan is new and needs time to develop. I did not realize that Woopie took time out of being a waste of life to dabble in economics.

The people who tune into these day time talk shows are primarily the ones who do not have jobs, hello! they are on during the middle of the day. Therefore, I think it is logical to infer that most of these people are uneducated and on the lower spectrum of economic status. The fact that this is their primary outlet for political news and ideology tears me apart inside.

What kind of a name is woopie anyways?

- This sucks, I am going to be paying for this garbage for the rest of my life.

(I wrote this quickly and frankly don't give a shit if it is sloppy and unorganized)