Tales From the First Weekend

What a first weekend of tournament time - it was especially fun being in Vegas for my first-time-ever there for March Madness. I even saw the General, Bob Knight at the Wynn doing his recap show with Billy Packer. I'd like to see what kind of room he got.

Before I start, let me just say that my bracket is a mess. My wife's on the other hand....more on that later.

So much stuff to cover...

• Texas needs two things this off season: mid range shooters and a point guard. I don't know where this is going to come from. Jay Lucas (Florida transfer) is more of a point guard, and a good shooter, but you can't rely on him to be "the shooter" guy. Balbay, Mason and incoming freshman need to step up here on this. And please, Pittman, lose 30 more pounds and learn how to be consistent. I'd also like to see Ward get more chances - his ability to get to the basket when no one else could was amazing. He attacks the basket which Texas hasn't done a whole lot of this year. Lots of opportunity, but they really have to get some shooters.
  
• I love Rick Barnes, but when he took Pittman out after the first 3 minutes and went with Gary Johnson - they went from being up 6 to down 5 in like 20 seconds and they were never the same after that. Like I said, Pittman, get in better shape - I can only assume Barnes was being conservative with his minutes. I'm just saying...
• I *think* Nova is going to crush Duke. As sloppy as Texas played, they should have beaten the Horns by like 15 points or more.
  
• This is one of those years where it really could be any one of these teams that could get hot and win this thing - I don't see any one team standing out above the rest. It's kind of cliche, but it really does seem like that. UCONN is really putting on a show, but they've got a fairly easy path thus far. If they pull Memphis on Saturday that could get interesting - the lack of Dyson at the guard may catch up to them with that track meet.
  
• I think Gonzaga may give Carolina all they can handle.
  
• Arizona raised a lot of eyebrows this weekend - goes to show you, trust the selection committee process. The Wildcats shut some folks up this weekend - will be interesting game against Louisville - they've been less than impressive the last two games.
• One more thing on the Horns: they've got a shot to make some real leaps and bounds next season if they can even halfway fill those needs. I'm assuming Damion James will definitely come back as he regressed from last year so that will help. We're losing Abrams and Atchley and that's pretty much it. If they don't get the point guard shored up it's a moot point, but if they can get some consistency and balance next year they can take the conference. OU will lose their beasts and Kansas is losing Collins, but Missouri will have most their guys back. Anyway, just saying, the usual suspects may be "down" a bit next year.
• Now that I've seen this Pitt team for 2 straight games I think they may be the favorites. They've had to battle against some tough teams including a battle tonight against Xavier. They're battle tested - more so than the other 1 seeds. We'll see.
  

Ciara's Bracket (That's a good band name by the way):
Sooo, this is the one and only sports-type pool I can get my lovely wife to participate in and she's got a consistent strategy, I'll give her that - it typically involves mascots and occasionally, team names (for example, Xavier is "just fun" so we'll go with them). I will give her credit though, many years ago (maybe 8-10 years ago) when no one had ever heard of Gonzaga, she picked them to do something absurd like make it to final four or championship game - that just happened to be that first year they made that Cinderella run to the Elite 8. So ever since then that's the first team she looks for and just automatically puts their name in the next two rounds without regard for opponent.

Anyway, heading into the Sweet 16, she's only missed 6 games and has 14 of 16 teams this weekend. I'm in like last place in my work pool. Dear Lord.

Other Random Things Inside and Outside the Sports World:

• So unless I was severely wasted, I think I saw that the new DirecTV deal with the NFL promises to pay the billion+ even if there is a lockout. That's going to be hard to negotiate against if you're the players' union.
  
• My Sunday picks: Pitt to beat Okie State by 9 or more - they won by 8; Marquette to lose by 3 or less/win - they lost by 4; New Jersey Nets to lose by 6 or less/win - they lost by 8. The odds makers know exactly what they're doing.
  
• I know anything can happen, but the NBA playoffs are setting to be Cleveland, the Lakers and everyone else. If you're the Lakers you're praying for Spurs/Rockets to finish 2 and 3, either way - those guys will have to face each other before getting to LA in the playoffs. If ended today Lakers would get Dallas and then New Orleans/Denver before conference finals whereas Houston, San Antonio, Portland and Utah have to battle each other out. Of course there are about 3-4 games separating 2 from 8.
• I just can't see Boston getting it together and getting over Cleveland - that team is too good right now.
  
• The Gillespie experiment at Kentucky has been a disaster to say the least, but I just can't get on board with firing him after 2 seasons - can't do any less than 3.
  
• I think the NFL's look into extending the season to 17 or 18 games is a bad idea - I just don't think it's reasonable to think that these guys' bodies can take any more of a beating. I'll tell you this - if you want them to get on board, you need to simultaneously come up with a comprehensive health care coverage plan including disability. Do that, cut preseason games to 2 or fewer and I bet you'll get a positive response. I know these guys make a ton of money, but you still have to take on a good portion of that responsibility.
  
• Best thing I read this week: Charles Rogers (former number 2 pick out of Michigan State) doing an interview from jail talking about how he's getting out and getting back into "football shape". Rrrriiiiiiiiiight.
  
• I really think Detroit should heavily shop that number 1 pick.
• I think Las Vegas has lost it's mind with some of the sh*t they will charge and how much they charge. It's fun as hell, but they've lost their minds: coffee and juice ($10), print out boarding pass at front desk ($5), cleveland steamer ($85)...outrageous.
  
• Flew Southwest this weekend for the first time in a loooong time. I'll say this - I still with they'd just assign seats like other airlines - that's not what makes them better, it's that it's a more laid back approach. Their employees are pretty damn consistent and that's what makes them different.
  
• I hope the North Koreans fire off that rocket and I hope we shoot it out of the sky within 2 minutes.
  
• I'm betting Tiger Woods finishes in the top 3 this weekend.
  

That's what I got gang - enjoy the weekend.