Madness. Simply Put.

March Madness--no other term could describe it.

A wide-open men's field where upsets abounded, culminating in a Final Four without a single #1 seed--but boasting a 2, 3, 4, and an #11. Only four people playing ESPN's Bracket Challenge got the right teams in the Final Four. That's right, four.

And on the women's side, top-ranked UNC gets the #1 seed in the same division as the top 4 teams in the nation, battles Vandy on its own home floor in the second round, and survives Tennessee to make the Final Four. And now, to join them, are 2 other ACC teams (as if they weren't sick enough of their league-mates) and Augustus n' Friends from LSU. Vince-sanity. (Or in the case of the last one, enough to PISTOL Pete you off, eh?)

My picks, and I'll put them in writing now, Florida and UCLA for the Men's Title, LSU/UNC for the women's.
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For once in my life, I strongly disagree with Jeff Fisher. "Fish" co-chaired the competition committee which is trying to crack down (further) on excessive celebrations in the NFL. It drives me insane the importance put on this...I think it's bull. If a guy scores, makes a sack, makes a stop, or just makes a play, let him celebrate! As long as he doesn't take up a media break or the fall of a play clock, let 'er roll, buddy. Sure, it's a team sport, but it's the individual that makes (or doesn't make) the play that decides the game. If it were all-team, then there would be no scores, as the individuals make the difference.
However, the committee still allows many things, which I like, but calling celebrations on the ground or with props "unnecessary" while allowing dancing and dunking the ball is a pointless double-standard. Props showcase creativity and showmanship while the spotlight is on them, and celebrating with teammates promotes the team concept and sharing glory. However, either will result in a penalty, and possible fines. If a guy starts celebrating while on the ground, he will still be fined. The response? "Get up!"
Heinous. Truly heinous.

Don't keep a player from enjoying his moment as he sees fit. If "the league" had its way, players would work as automotons, and that's boring as hell. The Arena game is a lot more relaxed on this, with prechoreographed multiplayer celebrations and far more opportunities to do them.

And the bottom line, in my opinion? This isn't the owners' league. This isn't even the players' league. This league is for, and supported by, the fans. And from what I've gathered, the fans want to see the playmakers have a little fun. Back off, big money; let the man march.
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Also, I'm going to respond to some rumors that the Ravens are looking to snap up "Air" McNair. No way.
VY, his disciple, set to come in. Mac signed to a one year hitch, and likely nearing retirement. Boller set in the job in Ravens-ville, meaning #9 would have to battle for his spot if he were to go? Not gonna happen.
I'd need hours and tons of research to adequately cover the league's quarterback mess, but mark my oh-so-expert words: McNair's not going anywhere this season.

One Week from 65

The magic season has come to a close. Our MTSU Blue Raiders couldn't answer a Yemi Nicholson deuce with 0.8 left, and Denver knocks off the tournament hosts in their first game. Thanks to all who've donned the Royal Blue and Silver this season, and to those who're coming back--next year, we're ripping those Mile High Boys a new one.
The "Mitsu" women continue their quest for a return to the Big Dance later today (11am), but Lady Blue needs to maul Arkansas State to gain a bit more momentum. Granted, they did flatten La-La, but we need to keep the Murfreesboro Freight Train rolling. Carolinas, here we come!

I want to commend the Southeastern Conference for an exceptional job this season. Their throwback campaign for the league's 80th anniversary caught me by surprise, especially since all teams were participating at the same times and with complete (road and away) sets. What surprised me even more is that replicas of many of these jerseys were for sale on SECstore.com. However, I'm most impressed that they stepped up and put their history proudly on display by making the entire SEC men's Tournament "Throwback" as well. Seeing my Gators in orange road unis, the stripe-trimmed Bama outfits, the old school Tennessee-word-marked unis, MSU's "STATE" tops, and even those gaudy-as-can-be Vandy looks...finally, college is seeing the potential for throwback usage, and finally it seems the "old-is-new" style is being treated with some respect, not just as a fad.

Alright, time now to play myself down the stairs with some opinions and such on the NCAA's. (Men's only, as I haven't seen much of the women's side of hoops this year.)
I seriously think Duke will be under-rated, especially because of the loss to UNC. If I were to pick right now, I'd say they were my favorite to run the table. However, they get a two-seed, and will make the Final Four.
Shaggy Morrison and the Zags will be a top seed, and they deserve it. Memphis will likely be a #1 as well, though unless they decimate the competition in the C-USA tourney I think they'd deserve to be a #2.
I guess UConn deserves the #1 they will get, and I'd put Villanova behind them--they're likely the other #1, and I just don't feel right about this one. The 'cats have been roughing people up all year, and have posted a few upsets all year, but look for them to catch a bad break with an under-appreciated middle-of-the-bracket team and get shown up.
Tennessee has some weaknesses, but expect no one to find them for at least two rounds. The Florida Gators, on the other hand, are for real. If they get a #3 seed I'd be surprised, but bumping them to #4 makes them dangerous. That means they'll draw a #13 seed, then likely a #5 and then a #1 in the "regionals." Put them against a Duke or a Gonzaga, and UF loses, though it's exciting. Give them a Memphis, UConn, or Villanova...? Yeah, get me now? Between Noah, Horford, and Humphrey, these Gators have some serious bite, and this could (finally) be that breakthrough year I've been predicting for a couple of years.
George Washington is a tough call. With Pops back and somewhere close to healthy, I'd give the Colonials the Elite Eight. Without him, they've done well, but almost coughed it up against Charlotte on Saturday. Which GW shows up? Tell me that, then I'll tell you how they do.
Georgetown has been relatively quiet lately, though they should make some noise in the Big Dance. I'd give them around a #4 seed, then see what the Hoyas can do with it.
Texas and "THE" Ohio State are 2-seeds. OSU I expect could fall in the Sweet 16, if not earlier, because I haven't been blown away by them. Being an anti-Buckeye didn't help my news search, but they haven't gotten a ton of coverage until lately. Texas, however, has become a sleeping bull. They are going to hit somebody--hard. Expect the 'Horns to gore someone out of this tournament.
UCLA is still not getting enough love. With the right bracket, Sweet 16 is very doable for the talented Powder Blue of Westwood. I hope my USC Trojans could sneak in as well, but...well, see below on VU.
Vandy could still sneak in, but likely won't be around long even if they do (sorry guys; I hate it too). I'm not sold on LSU being better then UF or UTK, and you saw where I put them. UK is a bust, and Bama's good for a win or two before being sent back to campus.
And my low-seed upset pick(s)? Can't go wrong with Western, unfortunately, and the ol' Belmont Bruins may shock someone as well.

Big Finish

"...Noah Willmore?!.......and the tip-in GOES!!!"

Best finish I can remember. Big props (without Pops) to George Washington. 26-1 overall, perfect in the conference, and riding a huge unbeaten streak.

And forget about the 4-million-channel showcase of Duke/UNC. Most exciting and evenly matched rivalry game on the air Saturday? Simple. "The Battle of the Boulevard" as Lipscomb battled Belmont in Johnson City, TN, for the Atlantic Sun title and the first-ever NCAA Tournament berth for either school. Lipscomb clawed back to force OT, and in the most even game I have ever seen Belmont squeaked it out to punch a ticket to the big dance. Lipscomb, the regular-season co-champ with Belmont but the winner of the A-Sun Title via the tiebreaker, gets a trip to the NIT for their just a (Justin) Hare short effort. Excellent work gentlemen, and congratulations to both teams for a well-done season.

MTSU's men get things rocking today, while the Lady Raiders steamrolled Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday to cruise to the semis. Simply put, the Lady Blue is one win away from the conference title game, and two away from their 3rd straight SBC Tournament title and subsequent NCAA berth. Can history repeat itself? That depends....is there another NC team we could face first-round?