March 19, 2009

BASKETBALL JONES

Time for the madness to begin. No, not a day off with the kids for the big guy, it is NCAA hoops, all day long! The first 2 days always seem to be my favorite. The games start at 11:00 am and go till midnight. I’m off on Thursdays, so sometimes I have to juggle home life with tracking my bracket, but thanks to the internet, cell phone updates and the DirecTv Mega March Madness package the games are never too far away. Then, after bedtime for the kiddies “big daddy” can focus full-time on every game. Thankfully, the “Boss” has finally given up on trying to get anything out of me on Day One (NO list!), the only price being, I need to be home. (No more hangin’ with the boys! Or hangin’ on Friday either, if you know what I mean.) On Day Two I get to watch the day slate at the bar. It’s probably my favorite day shift of the year, depending on how I’m doing, of—course. Being in a crowded bar with everyone so into the action is pretty cool. Lots of bracket trash talking, (Why is it every year I meet at least 2 jokers who had perfect Thursdays?) and games on every big-screen. Last years Drake-Western Kentucky game was as excited as I can remember the bar being. People want to see upsets and the 12 over 5 over-time thriller did not disappoint. (Drake came from 16 down with 8 minutes left to tie it and send in to OT. They then took the lead with 5.7 seconds left in the over-time period, only to then lose 101-99 on a three at the buzzer.) Even better that I had picked it, I get paid for this?

That’s why the first 2 rounds are so exciting. It’s the prospect of David beating Goliath. I read a comment the other day from Villanova head coach Jay Wright that exemplifies this. He said that he was “shocked” 2 years ago when, in Philadelphia, the crowd was rooting for the other team. He rightfully came to understand that there are fans of all the different schools in the arena and all of those not there for “Nova where going to root for the underdog. Bust that bracket! 

Same as the bar, but while you’re rooting for the underdog, you want it to be the RIGHT underdog. That is, a Goliath that you picked against, and many others picked for, can’t leave soon enough. Like in 2005, as usual I was picking perennial under-achiever Kansas to go out early, 2nd round. That they lost in the 1st, to 14-seeded Bucknell was worth the point I lost, and a killer to many brackets. That made my tournament.

This year I’ve picked 4 opening round upsets. ( two 11-6, one 12-5 and, drum-roll please, one 14-3. I don’t consider a 10 over a 7 that big of an upset, this year I’ve picked a 10 twice and a 7 twice.) My 14 is the Bison of North Dakota State. I love their story, not to mention their ability.

Six years ago they moved up from Division II to Division I. This meant that for 5 years they were ineligible for post-season play. Five years ago 5 incoming freshman decided to red-shirt for a year so that in their 5th year they would be eligible for the Big Dance. This year the team moved to the Summit League, winning the regular season title. But that just gave them a #1 seed in their conference tourney, the NCAA bid would not go to the regular season champ, but to the post-season tournament winner. They reached the finals, one step from their ultimate destination, but trailed throughout to an Oakland (MI) team that had beaten them earlier in the year. Down 62-56 with around five minutes left, the seniors took over sparking an 8-0 run to take the lead 64-62 with 1:26 left. Oakland then tied the game at 64 with 12 seconds left. Rather than call a time-out to set up a play, Bison coach Saul Phillips left the game in the hands of the leader of his 5th year guys and star of the team, Ben Woodside. Who, in a moment Bison fans will never forget, rolled of a screen and calmly drained a 2-point jumper from the top of the key. A desperation three by Oakland bounced of the rim as time expired giving the seniors fulfillment of their dream to participate in March Madness. Now that, is a story of what makes the NCAA tournament so compelling. A group who doesn’t think it’s their right to be in the field of 64, but had to fight against all odds just to get there.

It’s the kind of team I can root for, that I want to root for. I know the odds are stacked against them, (Don’t tell them about the ultimate kiss-of-death of being picked in my pool.) but what the heck, sometimes dreams do come true and Cinderella does get invited to the ball.(and Kansas can revert back to it’s under-performing ways.) And, I know I’ll have everyone at the bar rooting for them also. (If they want another beer, that is.) I can’t wait for Friday’s games to begin. As for my other picks, my Cinderella’s are all going to have to leave the ball early. I think the big seeds will once again be there at the end, with the exception being a #2 seeded Memphis team trying to settle some unfinished business. Alas, they will come up short (God’s will once again, coach Cal), as the best team in the best conference, that plays the best defense, Louisville, will beat North Carolina in the final. Of course, I could be wrong, but I still be watching EVERY game, why do you think they call it Madness?