I can safely say that this first weekend of March Madness is probably one of the craziest in my lifetime (30 years). The first day alone saw buzzer beaters, overtime, upsets galore and lots of excitement. Most of my brackets are busted (thanks to Northern Iowa's win), the only ones that aren't are homer brackets (meaning go UT and U-Dub!). Several things that stood out this weekend...
*The two teams I root for made it to the Sweet 16 and potentially could make the Final Four. Going into the tourney I thought only one had that chance (U-Dub) but Tennessee played well their first two games and were helped by upsets in the toughest region. Both will face the #2 seeds in the Sweet 16 but don't be surprised if these two underdogs make the Final 4
*A new phrase has joined the English language..."Going sharpie". This was coined by CBS analysits Greg Anthony and Seth Davis on their tweets. It means a team is pretty much going to win so they write in permanent marker on their brackets (Sharpie). I like the phrase. I will say this...my college roomates and I did something like this as a tradition starting back a decade or so ago (wow...can't believe it's been that long ago). Instead of a Sharpie, we used highlighters to mark our brackets we had posted on our living room wall. Orange or Yellow= correct pick, Green or Pink=incorrect pick. So if you hear me using the phrase "going sharpie" now you know the context.
Hopefully next weekend will live up to the standard that the first weekend set. If it does, then it should be a doozy of a weekend.
Showing posts with label huskies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label huskies. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sad Times In Seattle Sports
I feel for my "second" home of Seattle right now. Sportswise it is a very dark time. The Mariners finished in last place this past season with a horrible record. The Seahawks are struggling through a dismal season. The U-Dub football team is winless. And the team which shall not be named was moved to Oklahoma City. To be a Seattle sports fan is hard right now.
And to add insult to injury, recently "Tuba Man" passed away. For those not familar with him, he was a guy that would set up outside of Safeco Field or Qwest Field or Key Arena (depending on the season) and would play the tuba. You couldn't go to a game without hearing the bellowing tunes he would put out. His playing was just as much a tradition as garlic fries at Safeco or raising the 12th Fan flag at Qwest. Win or lose after the game as well you'd hear him play. It was a cool thing.
The sad story about him being beat up by a couple of youth which lead to his death is tragic. It broke my heart to hear about that. I pray for his family and for the community at large. It is a hard reminder of the fallen world we live in and the reality it is. Things will improve in Seattle sportswise, things like this tend to go in cycles. The "Tuba Man" will be missed.
And to add insult to injury, recently "Tuba Man" passed away. For those not familar with him, he was a guy that would set up outside of Safeco Field or Qwest Field or Key Arena (depending on the season) and would play the tuba. You couldn't go to a game without hearing the bellowing tunes he would put out. His playing was just as much a tradition as garlic fries at Safeco or raising the 12th Fan flag at Qwest. Win or lose after the game as well you'd hear him play. It was a cool thing.
The sad story about him being beat up by a couple of youth which lead to his death is tragic. It broke my heart to hear about that. I pray for his family and for the community at large. It is a hard reminder of the fallen world we live in and the reality it is. Things will improve in Seattle sportswise, things like this tend to go in cycles. The "Tuba Man" will be missed.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Reflecting on an End of an Era
I've been wanting to talk about this topic for a while but life has kind of taken me away for a little bit. But I have some time so I'll use it now for that.
In recent weeks, I learned that the two coaches of teams I root for will not be coming back next season. Tyrone Willingham at Washington and Philip Fulmer at Tennessee. I have varying feelings about both.
In the case of Willingham, I'm very disappointed. Personally, I don't think he got a fair shake. He was trying to rebuild a program that was pretty much down in the dumps. In my time in Seattle, I saw a team that was willing to play for him and if there hadn't been some injuries here and there (along with some bad refereeing) he would have made a bowl game at least once, maybe twice. I only got to watch about two games this year (BYU, Oklahoma) so I can't really gauge the difference as to why they're winless. What I do know is it's sad that he's not going to be back and the next coach is going to have a tough time.
In the case of Fulmer, I'm not really surprised. Ever since my senior year of college (2001-02), he has really had a hard time. The team off the field has had multiple problems (not recently but a few years ago) and the team on the field has had similar problems. In 2005, they missed going to a bowl game for the first time since 1988 and this year they're on track to do it again. It has been really frustrating because in the big game the team seems to way underachieve. Personally, I thought he should have been fired at least two times earlier. But I do like him and I'm glad for the way he has carried himself. It's very rare to see the loyalty that he showed to the school that he has spent such a long time at first as a player, then assistant head coach, then head coach. I'm sure he'll stick around in some capacity as an administrator. I do hope the next coach they bring in will be someone who can compete not only for the SEC championship but the national championship.
In recent weeks, I learned that the two coaches of teams I root for will not be coming back next season. Tyrone Willingham at Washington and Philip Fulmer at Tennessee. I have varying feelings about both.
In the case of Willingham, I'm very disappointed. Personally, I don't think he got a fair shake. He was trying to rebuild a program that was pretty much down in the dumps. In my time in Seattle, I saw a team that was willing to play for him and if there hadn't been some injuries here and there (along with some bad refereeing) he would have made a bowl game at least once, maybe twice. I only got to watch about two games this year (BYU, Oklahoma) so I can't really gauge the difference as to why they're winless. What I do know is it's sad that he's not going to be back and the next coach is going to have a tough time.
In the case of Fulmer, I'm not really surprised. Ever since my senior year of college (2001-02), he has really had a hard time. The team off the field has had multiple problems (not recently but a few years ago) and the team on the field has had similar problems. In 2005, they missed going to a bowl game for the first time since 1988 and this year they're on track to do it again. It has been really frustrating because in the big game the team seems to way underachieve. Personally, I thought he should have been fired at least two times earlier. But I do like him and I'm glad for the way he has carried himself. It's very rare to see the loyalty that he showed to the school that he has spent such a long time at first as a player, then assistant head coach, then head coach. I'm sure he'll stick around in some capacity as an administrator. I do hope the next coach they bring in will be someone who can compete not only for the SEC championship but the national championship.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Random Sports Reflections
Here's some random stuff to talk about:
*I'm disappointed in the Red Sox not making the World Series. Given the way the team finished, I guess it was the best to be expected. I'm not really excited about the World Series this year with the (Devil) Rays and the Phillies. I think if I have to pick a team to root for, it'd be the Phillies. The city (Philadelphia) deserves a champ and the last time they won the World Series I was like 8 months old (so 28 years ago) so I'm thinking they're due. I'll say Phillies in 6.
*I'm not really into college football this year. Partly I think it has to do with the Vols and the Huskies having horrible years. All I know is the one thing that's always the case every year...the BCS won't work. Some way shape or form, it won't work and people will want a playoff (which every other division and every other sport have).
*I'm disappointed in the Seahawks. Ever since I've moved, they've went in the tank. Could me moving have put a jinx on them? Could it be the curse of Shaun Alexander in cutting him? Or could it be that they just have way too many injuries this year to overcome. At this point, it might just be worth looking forward to next year, getting a good draft pick and settling into new coach Jim Mora Jr.
*I just heard today that the 49ers fired Mike Nolan and hired Mike Singletary as the interim head coach. Anyone who knows me knows how much of a Singletary fan I am. Growing up, he was one of my favorite players to watch. I respected him both on and off the field. I've felt he's been due a head coaching opportunity after several years as a defensive coordinator. I might actually sort of start rooting for the 49ers again (for the first time in a long time) with him at the helm, though when they play the 'Hawks, still have to pull for the Hawks.
*I'm so excited about the Titans. They've been due a season like this in a long time. This team reminds me in a lot of ways of the dominant teams of the early part of this decade. If they continue to play like they have so far, I don't think there's any reason why they can't win the Super Bowl. If you got a defense like they do, a one-two running combo in White and Johnson, a kicker who's lights out good, and a veteran quarterback who's calm under pressure, then you have the formula for winning a championship.
*I'm disappointed in the Red Sox not making the World Series. Given the way the team finished, I guess it was the best to be expected. I'm not really excited about the World Series this year with the (Devil) Rays and the Phillies. I think if I have to pick a team to root for, it'd be the Phillies. The city (Philadelphia) deserves a champ and the last time they won the World Series I was like 8 months old (so 28 years ago) so I'm thinking they're due. I'll say Phillies in 6.
*I'm not really into college football this year. Partly I think it has to do with the Vols and the Huskies having horrible years. All I know is the one thing that's always the case every year...the BCS won't work. Some way shape or form, it won't work and people will want a playoff (which every other division and every other sport have).
*I'm disappointed in the Seahawks. Ever since I've moved, they've went in the tank. Could me moving have put a jinx on them? Could it be the curse of Shaun Alexander in cutting him? Or could it be that they just have way too many injuries this year to overcome. At this point, it might just be worth looking forward to next year, getting a good draft pick and settling into new coach Jim Mora Jr.
*I just heard today that the 49ers fired Mike Nolan and hired Mike Singletary as the interim head coach. Anyone who knows me knows how much of a Singletary fan I am. Growing up, he was one of my favorite players to watch. I respected him both on and off the field. I've felt he's been due a head coaching opportunity after several years as a defensive coordinator. I might actually sort of start rooting for the 49ers again (for the first time in a long time) with him at the helm, though when they play the 'Hawks, still have to pull for the Hawks.
*I'm so excited about the Titans. They've been due a season like this in a long time. This team reminds me in a lot of ways of the dominant teams of the early part of this decade. If they continue to play like they have so far, I don't think there's any reason why they can't win the Super Bowl. If you got a defense like they do, a one-two running combo in White and Johnson, a kicker who's lights out good, and a veteran quarterback who's calm under pressure, then you have the formula for winning a championship.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Random Sports Reflections
There is a lot going on lately and so here is a way to hit some points in a random fashion:
*The baseball playoffs started yesterday...on cable. So that means, no watching for me at least the first few days. Of course I'm pulling for the Red Sox in the AL. In the NL, I'm supporting the Cubs and the Brewers. I would like to see a Red Sox/Cubs World Series (like I did back in 2003). We'll see if that turns out.
*I meant to write about this sooner but I wanted to share a story that has broken my heart. In the preseason, Jacksonville Jaguars OT Richard Collier was shot 14 times outside of an apartment building with a former teammate waiting for some girls to come out. This past week, he had his leg amputated. He is still alive thankfully but his life is forever changed. I have been praying for Collier and would ask those that read this blog to do the same.
*College Football teams haven't been good on my end. The records of the two teams I root for (Tennesse, Washington) are a combined 1-7. It has not been fun at all. Thankfully the two NFL teams I root for is a different story. Their combined record (Tennessee, Seattle) is 5-2, with Tennessee being 4-0 for the first time in the history of the franchise. Hopefully that will continue and that Seattle will turn things around as well.
*The baseball playoffs started yesterday...on cable. So that means, no watching for me at least the first few days. Of course I'm pulling for the Red Sox in the AL. In the NL, I'm supporting the Cubs and the Brewers. I would like to see a Red Sox/Cubs World Series (like I did back in 2003). We'll see if that turns out.
*I meant to write about this sooner but I wanted to share a story that has broken my heart. In the preseason, Jacksonville Jaguars OT Richard Collier was shot 14 times outside of an apartment building with a former teammate waiting for some girls to come out. This past week, he had his leg amputated. He is still alive thankfully but his life is forever changed. I have been praying for Collier and would ask those that read this blog to do the same.
*College Football teams haven't been good on my end. The records of the two teams I root for (Tennesse, Washington) are a combined 1-7. It has not been fun at all. Thankfully the two NFL teams I root for is a different story. Their combined record (Tennessee, Seattle) is 5-2, with Tennessee being 4-0 for the first time in the history of the franchise. Hopefully that will continue and that Seattle will turn things around as well.
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