I am right there with you on the college hoops.  I have been a Kentucky fan since I was a child.  However, I am also a Pitino fan.  So, now I am also a Louisville fan.  I also like Duke.  I know, I know.  It does not seem possible!  To top it off, my daughter-in-law is a huge Arkansas fan and since we have watched several games with her, I can now tolerate the Hogs.  In other words, I guess I will be watching every game!  I think Florida looks pretty good to win it all.

Howard,

Thanks for the link to the brackets!  I printed it so I'm ready to go.

I'll be rooting for Illinois since I'm from Chicago and my brother graduated from there.  However, I'll also be rooting for Florida since we now live in the "Sunshine State".   Somehow I don't think Illinois will go too far, besides they were lucky to get in the tournament!  There's also Southern Illinois to root for so I've got a chance to pick a winner! 

Should be fun!

-- Edited by wmalefyt at 11:42, 2007-03-12

-- Edited by wmalefyt at 18:02, 2007-03-12

We we will be watching the tournament just because we always have.  My school (New Mexico State) hasn't done much in the NCAA since the early 70's but it is nice to see them in the tournament.  Too bad they play Texas, my DW's school in the first round.  Someone isn't going to be happy and it will probably be me.

Good luck to your favorite teams,
Larry and Jacki

Hi Howard,

I have an NCAA Tournament story that I think you'll like. It's definitely in keeping with many of the themes you talk about on your site. (Which I love, by the way!)

About 15 years ago (maybe a bit longer) I was asking my Mom what she wanted for Christmas and getting the standard answers - "Oh, I don't want anything," "Just get me something practical," etc. I was living on a boat at the time, which had been a dream of mine for a while and Mom had been very supportive so I really wanted to get her something special. I kept prodding her and finally said "Mom, don't you have a dream? Isn't there something you've always wanted or wanted to do that you've never told anyone?"

Well, my Mom is a huge sports fan, but also extremely practical, so I was very surprised when she answered by saying "Yes, I want to go to the NCAA Final Four championship!" I kind of chuckled and said "Well, I don't know if I can pull that off by Christmas but I'll do whatever I can to help you make that dream come true."

Anyway, fast-forward a few months. I was watching the local news one night and they were having a contest for an all expenses paid trip to the final four. I called Mom and told her that I was going to win her the tickets. It was an elaborate contest-you had to watch the news every night for over a week to hear a sports trivia question and answer all the questions correctly to qualify for the drawing. So, we both started watching and if we didn't know the answer we'd research it until we found it. Finally, we had all the answers and submitted entries in her name, my name, my sister's name, etc. And guess what? We won! It was so cool!

Sorry this story was so long, but I thought you'd like it. It makes me smile just to think about it.

Howard,

I too am a HUGE basketball fan.  I can honestly say basketball is why I wobble when I walk today!! : Since I am from MS it is also safe to say I am a SEC fan.  It was a great tournament except for that one team that dominated all of us!!  If you are facing Florida better hang on to your hats cause they are peaking!!  We also had a small college in Jackson, Jackson State, that won their conference and got in the NCAA and guess who they get to play first.   I feel for them but I guess somebody has to do it!! 

The two biggest schools in the state both got in the NIT and have had good years.  I believe they both are capable of winning it.  Of couse if they meet in the finals sorry State but you know I am die hard Ole Miss.  I hope you beat EVERYONE......... but us!!   Good luck to each of your teams.

Billy
Hattiesburg, MS
ps
hey Howard you know that pretty blue bike I sent you a picture of....... well it dumped me today and I have road rash in places not nice to talk about!!   If you had been there you could have bought it cheap!!!  I really enjoy your site especially your Journal.  I look forward to seeing  your pictures!!  Shoot caught myself bird watching the other day while out on the Longleaf Trace!!  Let's say I am more aware!

My wife and I both grew up in Louisville and we now live only 30 miles away in the country. My wife went to the same high school as Howard and Linda (small world, again), only a few years earlier. I'm not allowed to mention any other team but Louisville Cardinals in our house. It's going to be a great tournament this year with the typical upsets. I better get started filling out the brackets with Louisville winning or I may be fulltiming sooner than I thought, by myself.

GO CARDS.

How about those Washington State Cougars!!!!!!!!!!!!  We made it through the first game--

Go Cougs!!!!!

Go Zags!!!!

Well everyone in my family but my NC born son just got there brackets wiped out by that amazing VCU win over Duke. We lived in Oxford NC in the '80s during right in the middle of the square between UNC, NC State, Wake Forest and Duke. Our son grew up a Tarheel which means his brackets always drop out Duke early!

Howard,

Well I didn't get to see the game but I understand your team lost a close one to Texas A&M.  That's a shame and I know it is fustrating because it doesn't make the rest of the tournament as interesting does it.  I see where Kentucky and Kansas play today so maybe the outcome will be better for you.

MS State is still winning in the NIT and has made the Quarterfinals.  Ole Miss plays Clemson tomorrow to see if they make the Quarterfinals.  Man I love March Madness.  Not sure if any of you saw the Ohio St. & Xavier game but what a finish.  I really didn't care who won but Xavier really blew it with a missed free throw.  Of course I think they also got a bad call right at the end or really not a bad call but a no call.  I can understand why the officals don't want a game to be decided by a judgement call but in fact that is what happened.  It was a great game though............. specially if you are an Ohio fan!!

For those of you in the NCAA and are faced with Florida............ whew.

Billy,
Hattiesburg MS