Sunday, March 20, 2016

Tourney Day Three

Hey Everyone,

Guys, these updates are a little tougher to send out the morning after a Kentucky loss. I was bummed, because I really liked this UK team. It stings especially to see them lose to Indiana, where people still lionize Coach Bobby Knight

OK. Just one more. This is a joke I learned in 3rd grade. I think I feel better now, so here goes. . .

A few observations:
  • Day Three of the tournament was a return to order, at least as far as favorites are concerned. With the exception of Gonzaga, there were no real surprises yesterday. 
  • Gonzaga looks good. A lot of people are pointing out that they were a bubble team before destroying the Utes last night. I'd prefer to focus on something else. Their roster features players named Dranginis, Sabonis, Wiltjer, Karnowski, Triano, and Bakamus. They're the first tournament team I've seen that could double as the school's admissions brochure. They are college basketball's Up With People.
  • I was at Evan's t-ball scrimmage for most of the Duke-Yale game, but a lot of you texted me updates. Here's what I got: Secret societies from elite American academic institutions find themselves pulled into a world of secrecy and intrigue, discovering the true secrets of the cadres that control the world. *[Matt is handed a note]. Oh, sorry. That was the plot to The Skulls. No, Duke-Yale was a game of halves, with Grayson Allen pouring in 22 points in the first half while playing his trademark D.
  • Wichita St. faded in the early game. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I feel bad that the Shockers had to play Tuesday night, Thursday night, then play the early game Saturday. Still, Miami is legit, and is bolstering the ACC's claim as the class of the tournament.
  • UNC looked formidable. Their game against Providence was the first time I've allowed myself to imagine the wonder that a Duke-UNC national title game would be. My sons are Tar Heels (somehow), so I'm all-in on the Heels.
  • Kris Dunn is as impressive as advertised, and that makes the Heels that much more impressive.
  • Other people have smarter things to say about Providence's basketball team, so I'll let them:
    • "It is easier to discover a deficiency in individuals and in Providence than see their real value." - George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
    • "Providence has its appointed hour for everything." - Gandhi
    • "Providence has nothing good or high in store for one who does not aim at something high or good." -Thornton Wilder
  • VCU plays Oklahoma today. I enjoy watching them play, but I don't think I want them to win. Mainly so their pep band leader doesn't feel the need to outdo himself.
  • None of today's games have a marquee tilt, and some are already nervous that this upset-heavy tournament will mean middling ratings by the end. At the very least, know that I'll be watching and emailing, even if your bracket has already dissolved.

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