Skip to content

Where is the Santorum Bracket??

where-is-the-santorum-bracket

One of my favorite parts of the Tourney the past few years has been “Baracketology”.  I love a President who is a basketball fan. Espcially after eight years of an admistration lead by someone who’s live desire it is to be Bud Selig.

However, as the shepherd of a faith-based organization, I can’t help but wonder WWSP (Who would Santorum pick?)

I make the call out to the Rick Santorum campaign to ask him to do a bracket for us!  I know the games have started, but I am open to the ‘second chance’ bracket.  After all, I do think that would be most appropriate.

Mitt Romney is refusing to do one, which makes sense because it means he would have to commit to a side.

Of course, Newt can fill his in as the games in that way he will have all the winners without having to call it quits.

Baylor: I see you, no I don’t

baylor-i-see-you-no-i-dont

OK, fun is fun is fun.  We all laughed when Rick Pitino’s championship Kentucky Wildcats wore the denim.  Yes, that actually happened.

And we all growned, but it was fun(ny) to watch. Imagine how the power of denim can lock in all that moisture.  Good thing final four basketball squads don’t sweat much.

Then Nike’s nuclear testing ground called The University of Oregon decided on the black on black.  They did not disapoint afterwards, but nothing topped it (until the Tron football jerseys)

Nike’s Platinum Elite jerseys were a failure…except for the cool warm ups..and the jab at Under Armor and Adidas.

However, I have to ask, what is Baylor’s purpose with their new tourney jerseys?  Did they get a Sharpie highlighter contract too? Guys, when you wear camolage, it is meant to hide you. But when you wear florenents, it is meant to stand you out in a crowd (at a Debbie Gibson show.)  But, if you do both, you just look like a confused Craig Seger.

Look, if you want to get on Digger Phelps good side, then beat Indiana.  If you are trying to get Joan Rivers attention, then invite her to the ESPYs. But, please figure it out, because there is enough flip-flopping going on with a presidential election going on…

….wait, what? It’s for recruiting? Oh, well then.  OK.

Bid Thieves lurk in the weeds of Championship Week

bid-thieves-lurk-in-the-weeds-of-championship-week

We’re obsessed with March basketball at the Church of Bracketology. Whether you’re a casual fan or a team-specific obsessive, there’s always something to watch in the month of March. Even for those of us who don’t have a realistic rooting interest in the conference tournaments.

See, this week I knowing full well that the team I follow (St. John’s)* will not be playing in the NCAA Tournament… or the NIT… and may not even be invited to the CIT or CBI. The Johnnies are 13-18, filled with excitement and moxie, but far from the post season cutline. I can accept that; turnover happens. I can wait ’til next year.

But I’ve got a keen eye on the teams that might shake up the accepted Bracketology – those dirty bid thieves. Continue reading ‘Bid Thieves lurk in the weeds of Championship Week’ »

Bracketology Saturday Services: Bracketbuster Weekend!

bracketology-saturday-services-bracketbuster-weekend

Congregation, please…please…remain seated

(and put your headphones on and enjoy the links)

 

I know, I’m breaking normal sermon procedure, but we don’t want to block the view.  After all, this is a special weekend for the little guy.

We spend all of our weekends going to church and worshiping the highest Deity of holy good…and Duke. But, let’s face it, for the Five Pillars of Bracketology (Kansas, UNC, Duke, Kentucky, Indiana – “Where’s your messiah Continue reading ‘Bracketology Saturday Services: Bracketbuster Weekend!’ »

Calipari’s Sense of Humor not vacated

caliparis-sense-of-humor-not-vacated

In Matt Vautour’s article in today Hampshire Daily Gazette, he references a great AP quote by John Calipari.

Last Friday, when asked about turning 53 last week, Kentucky coach John Calipari responded with,

“Two years got vacated so I’m 51.”

This is obviously in reference to his Final Four year at UMass and the Championship game year at Memphis.  Good to see him have a sense of humor about everything.

 

 

Happy Valentine’s Day: Why Bracketologists need to respect February!

happy-valentines-day-why-bracketologists-need-to-respect-february
Congregation, please STAND UP!
As you know, everything we do is about getting to March, because its our great holy month of the year.  While, the gods have created a month with new rules for the World to respect (like no more birthdays, weddings and business trips in our holy month) it is important to remember where you come from.  And, we come from February.

February, does not have ‘madness’ or ‘mayhem’ in the true definition, but don’t look past February. It’s is the undersized point guard that is it who never gets the proper respect.

Here’s why every practicing Bracketologist needs to embrace February:

First, February is the shortest month and you should never underestimate the little guys.  Most centers in college are too small to play center in the NBA, and forget about smaller scrappy point guards.  But, the tourney is about guard play and a scrappy sharp shooter is a valuable commodity.  These guys are the reason we love college ball! They almost never get drafted and they know it, so they still have something to prove.

Second, February contains one of the greatest holidays ever.  Yes, Valentines Day.  Now, I know what you are thinking, but for the modern Bracketologist Valentine’s Day is a Naismith-send.  Think about it – there is one day planted in the middle of the pre-March month that allows…no, forces you to spend time with your significant other. Whatever gender or orientation you are, it does not matter. If you are a Bracketologist you need that day to embrace your loved one and tell them how much you adore them because you will soon be a ‘little’ distracted.  This is vital(e) for your relationship to last the long haul because it is not like you are going to lose you faith anytime soon. You are a solder going to war.  They might not understand why you were chosen, and they’ll be waiting by the door for a telegram from the General himself, Robert Montgomery Knight, saying that you were taken down by a last second Austin Rivers shot sending you to an early demise.  Regardless, it is important to lay the groundwork for a welcome return when the battle is over.  Only one team ends the season with a win, so we need all the support we can get!  And hey, they have to sleep with you, do something special for them on February 14. Trust me.

Lastly, February is hairpin turn on the Road to the Final Four.  Some of the best basketball of the season is scheduled in February as teams start fighting for those bye days of their conference tourneys.  Bids are locking, bubbles are popping and this is the time you see guys waiting and hoping for the invite to dance.

Yes, February is great! Embrace it with a huge Vermont Catamount Teddy Bear Hug and enjoy it to the fullest.  If I was in charge I would have called it March Eve, but seriously it already has a complex so don’t make it feel any worse.  You want it to be your friend.

Go Defense.

Bracketology Saturday Services: There you have it, love and hate.

bracketology-saturday-services-there-you-have-it-love-and-hate

YIKES!!

I love the fact that the week before Valentine’s Day comes right after Rivalry Week.  First every game is like a ‘date’.  There are two meeting to exchange awkwardness. Only the smooth survive.  But, this is a meeting of conflict, not romanace.  And rivalry games are extreem conflict.  There is no romance here.  No love lost.

I love this day!  Get the fight on!

As always, for those in NYC, the Congregation of the Church of Bracketology will be practicing Saturday Services at Professor Thoms (219 Second Ave.  Come by for some hoopsin!  #SaturdayServices

Here’s the TV schedule:
Continue reading ‘Bracketology Saturday Services: There you have it, love and hate.’ »

OH my! Stop the full-court presses!! THE BIG EAST does care about basketball: Memphis to the Big East in 2013

oh-my-stop-the-full-court-presses-the-big-east-does-care-about-basketball-memphis-to-the-big-east-in-2013

The Onion Major Media outlets are reporting that Memphis will be joining the Big (L)East in 2013.  This is a great move by the Intercontinental conference as they have finally seen the light and added a school that will be bring football AND quality hoops with it.

I have been saying this throughout all this conference realignment stuff.   The Big East seemed to always go after just football schools, basically cutting off it’s basketball nose to spite it’s historical hoopsy face.  However, a court has two ends, and while the Big East was being stubborn about football, the AD at Memphis publicly stated that he we amazed that the ConfUSA school didn’t get a invite to the SEC.  To quote the our own JoePa, editor of TheFandomReview.com, “they are delusional.”

So, while Memphis is not a great football school, they have some history and a great local recruting pool to pluck from. This will keep some of the more quality recruits home to play in a stronger confencerence.

Conference Musical Chairs

Who will be left when the music stops??

Same with hoops, as men’s basketball coach Josh Paster can use the power of the Big East and a conference tourney at MSG as selling points to improve his program.

This will bring back the regional ConfUSA rivalry between Memphis and Louisville, which was broken when the Cardinals left ConfUSA for the Big East.  In fact, it was reported that Cardinal coach Rick Pitino was a major factor in getting this deal done.

Funny, that would have been the case if John Calipari was still coaching Memphis.  On that note, not only would Pitino be against this, but it never would have seen the light of day with Jim Calhoun around.  He has made it very public how he does not like John Calipari and refuses to play him unless they meet in any form of bracket.

Regardless, I love this move, even if it means the Big East will last to die another day.

 

Duke/UNC tonight…live on Twitter!!

dukeunc-tonight-live-on-twitter

As everyone in the Bracketsphere knows, today is Duke/UNC, which is on of the holiest of Bracketology holidays. I will be naturally be at the bar church for services tonight.

In an interesting note, Stephen Schramm, from the Fayetteville Observer (fayobserver.com) writes about how the Duke/UNC rivialry has expanded to Twitter. I have to say that ‘Twitterspace’ is a really fun place for college hoops fans to get you excited with fun…and angst.  I expect tonight to be no different.

And lastly, as reported in on Wired.com, I am happy to know that our home temple, Professor Thoms of NYC, was the ‘Most Checked in Sports Bar’ in the country on Super Bowl Sunday on Foursquare! And to think, I was the mayor there for about a year and a half.  OOOOOH CURSE YOU JONATHAN S!!

 

Bracketology Saturday Services: GO! STATE RACER GO!

bracketology-saturday-services-go-state-racer-go

Congregation, please STAND UP!…and wave that checkered flag!

 

 

Resiliency.  That is what it took.  Just when it looked like the streak was over, Murray State - The Last of the Unbeatens – looked like it was ready to succumb to Allison’s Syracuse fate (“We are just waiting to lose.”) against Southeastern Missouri State (SEMU – or as the kids call it “SEE-MOO”).

Murray State Racers The Racers stalled off the line and skidded a bit around the ‘S-Curves’.  But in the final laps, Isaish Canaan (after daydreaming about Jordana Brewster, no doubt) discovered Continue reading ‘Bracketology Saturday Services: GO! STATE RACER GO!’ »