Saturday, March 15, 2008

Beware the Zips of March


















"Oh, hey there Mister, uh, Brown Shoes! How about that local sports team, hmm?"

Yes, Monty, how about them.

Since Obama apparently decided to not leave some Technicolor rainbow jumpshots or sports-minded Care Bears behind after the debate back in February, my hometown Cleveland State Vikings proceeded to lose the Horizon conference title game on Tuesday. Goddamn fucking David Robinson. Oh, sorry, I was having flashbacks of 1986.

But I'm presented with a nice consolation prize, today's MAC title tilt between my almost-alma mater University of Akron Zips and the Kent State Golden Flashes. Hopefully, one of these teams can at least duplicate what Kent State did in 2002. Or better yet, what George Mason did in 2006. Or even better, this.

Needless to say, the Buckeyes, sans current NBAers Greg Oden and Mike Conley, will not be returning to the NCAA-keeps-all-the-profit-so-eat-it-'student-athletes' tournament.

My question to you, loyal 1.3 readers, is whom will you be cheering for once the big show begins? I need to start compiling my list of whom I should be rooting against. Ha, I say, ha. Don't worry, Fairlane, I've already written Louisville down. Better hope they don't meet up with Pittsburgh along the way.

10 comments:

s. douglas said...

Pittsburgh?

Are you kidding?

Louisville already beat them at home this year, they had the "Revenge Factor."

Also, I don't know if you watched the game, but there's a reason Pitt never wins in the NCAA tournament: What the Big East calls "Defense," the rest of the world calls Fouling.

There were at least four occasions were a Louisville player was knocked to the floor resulting in a "Steal."

Hell, you and I could beat North Carolina if they let us play that way.

Pitt is way too one dimensional, they'll be lucky to make it to the second round.

Speaking of '86, Louisville won the championship that year.

Randal Graves said...

I'm merely inferring the three straight years that Pittsburgh has knocked Louisville out of the Big East tourney.

I did watch most of it, and you are correct, there was a bit o' the mugging going on. Of course, if Louisville didn't turn as cold as a neocon's soul in OT, it'd be a moot point.

I don't think either team will do all that much, but with a single-elimination deal, a lot of times it comes down to who's got the shot falling or one of those transcendent performances. Of course, discounting local teams, I'm usually of the anyone-but-Duke mindset and merely hope for entertaining hoops. I'm thinking I should come down with a mysterious ailment Wednesday night.

Never nervous got quite nervous in the NBA. Well, except for those two-and-a-half years the dude wasn't hurt.

Dean Wormer said...

Duke.

s. douglas said...

I picked Louisville to make the Final Four. Very few teams can match their talent level, and depth.

Unfortunately, you don't get to see it much in the Big East because of teams like Pitt, Georgetown et al. who play that slow down, mug the other team crap.

Put Louisville in the ACC, and we'll kick the shit out of Duke.

Suzi Riot said...

U
C
L
A

UCLA! fight Fight FIGHT!

Mary Ellen said...

I haven't watched basketball in so long, I can't comment on this, but it won't stop me from coming by and bugging Randal.

bug bug bug bug bug bug bug bug bug

Am I bugging you yet?

bug

Randal Graves said...

dean, you are banned from this site, you and your children, and your children's children...for three months!

fairlane, I still think Georgetown is better, but you're right about the dominant style of play in the Big East. And I don't put TOO much stock in conference tournaments. Hell, Georgia is mediocre as all mediocrity, and if they win today, they'll be in at 17-16. I'd rather them limit conference tournaments to the top 4-6 teams, but money talks.

suzi, I remember having Ed O'Bannon on one of my NBA fantasy teams his rookie year. He was, shall we say, sucky as all hell.

ME, only if you brought actual bugs. You didn't, did you? Because I don't have any bug spray left, and I'd hate to spend the money to fumigate my blog!

Mary Ellen said...

Randal--No, I didn't bring "real" bugs, the creepy crawly kind. I just brought the kind the FBI uses. I'm listening to everything you say behind the scenes. That's right, sucka! I heard what you said, you actually did vote for Bush and you watch Fox News every night! Busted!

Unknown said...

Randal,

Nice link to Hoosiers. This Hoosier Alum is a little worried about IU during the post season, too many distraction.

But the real team in that movie came from a small town, Milan (Mile -in), not too far from DCups home. In fact sissy-in-law lived there for a time.

Now I share my classroom with a Purdue Alum. What the fuck! The only true rival Indiana has breathing the air my class.

Zips really?

Randal Graves said...

ME, how can I watch Fox every night when I'm busy listening to taped episodes of various wingnut radio personalities? Work makes me miss Hannity!

mathman, if Gordon gets hot, Indiana can do some damage though. And ugh, that would be like me sharing space with a Steeler fan. I feel your pain.