I'm taking Michigan State because of Izzo, and Duke because they're Duke.
It's official ~ my picks are out there now.
GO SPARTANS!
GO BLUE DEVILS!
If that's the final on Monday, heading to Indianapolis is a possibility.
THE WIRK
Showing posts with label Final Four. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Final Four. Show all posts
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
My cousin's wedding kept me away, but it's Game ON now for hockey and basketball
OK - so it's been a while since I posted, but it's only because I've been completely consumed with family stuff. My cousin, Nick, got maried in NJ over the weekend, and between the rehearsal dinner, wedding, and travel time ~ I've basically managed to miss EVERYTHING in the world of sports.
Friday, I was invited to San Antonio to go see the Cleveland Cavaliers v San Antonio Spurs game with friends as part of one of my best friend's birthday festivities. I couldn't make the trip because I wanted to attend a rehearsal dinner in NJ. I've seen the Spurs play at home back in Jan 2009 (i.e. work had brought me out there for meetings). I hope my friends had a blast on Friday. Unfortunately, the Cavs lost to the Spurs 102-97. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHUBS!
Saturday there were college basketball games, and I think I saw about 2 minutes of the last one ~ but I cannot tell you what I saw because I was so disinterested.
On Sunday afternoon when I was driving home from Jersey, I learned that Duke had beaten Baylor (i.e. thanks to a text message from my brother). Other than that, I have no idea what happened in the world of sports. I do know, that the Duke v WVU game is the 2nd game of Saturday's final four match-up, and I want to go to Indianapolis to see it. I looked at flights and right now, that's my only "hiccup". I've been to the Final Four and seen Lucas Oil Stadium, so I can't figure out if I'm really interested or just being restless. It would be fun to see some of my family friends though, and I do like Indy, so...
I ended up meeting some friends Sunday night and a few of the Capitals were out (i.e. Green, Knuble, Perrault, and Backstrom). Unfortunately, they'd lost to Calgary earlier in the day. The Caps posed for pictures and may have been out to support a fundraiser to support The Arlington Food Assistance Center.
In a perfect world, this will be my sports schedule for the week:
Tuesday - Ottawa Senators v Washington Caps, in DC or Oklahoma City Thunder v Philadelphia Sixers, in Philly
Wednesday - Milwaukee Bucks v Cleveland Cavs, in Cleveland
Saturday - NCAA Final Four games, in Indianapolis
How much of this schedule will actually be realized is still up in the air. Then again, anything is possible. Everything will most likely be a last minute decision. I'm exhausted from last week's adventures and I'm trying to pick and choose my adventures carefully since I'm not sure yet, how much I owe the tax man this year. ****Mental note, I must call my accountant tomorrow.
I'm racking my brain for sports topics that are relevant and interesting and I'm drawing a complete blank, so until next time...
I don't want to put up wedding pics, since that's not really the function of this blog, so here's a pic of me with Penny Hardaway (i.e. Anfernee Hardaway, a Memphis alumnus) at the Final Four in 2008. Part of the fun of being at events like the Final Four is running into NBA players who are out there supporting their alma maters. With Duke, Michigan State, Butler, and WVU in the running this year ~ there should be a good number of former players in the crowd, so if you're a basketball fan, keep your eyes open.
THE WIRK
Welcome to the family, Ging
Friday, I was invited to San Antonio to go see the Cleveland Cavaliers v San Antonio Spurs game with friends as part of one of my best friend's birthday festivities. I couldn't make the trip because I wanted to attend a rehearsal dinner in NJ. I've seen the Spurs play at home back in Jan 2009 (i.e. work had brought me out there for meetings). I hope my friends had a blast on Friday. Unfortunately, the Cavs lost to the Spurs 102-97. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHUBS!
Silvia and Doug (aka Chubs), San Antonio ~ Jan 2009
Spurs game w/a fellow sportsfan, while in San Antonio ~ Jan 2009
One of the decorated "outhouses" on display in front of the Spurs' arena ~ Jan 2009
Saturday there were college basketball games, and I think I saw about 2 minutes of the last one ~ but I cannot tell you what I saw because I was so disinterested.
No sports this Saturday, I'm watching a wedding
On Sunday afternoon when I was driving home from Jersey, I learned that Duke had beaten Baylor (i.e. thanks to a text message from my brother). Other than that, I have no idea what happened in the world of sports. I do know, that the Duke v WVU game is the 2nd game of Saturday's final four match-up, and I want to go to Indianapolis to see it. I looked at flights and right now, that's my only "hiccup". I've been to the Final Four and seen Lucas Oil Stadium, so I can't figure out if I'm really interested or just being restless. It would be fun to see some of my family friends though, and I do like Indy, so...
I ended up meeting some friends Sunday night and a few of the Capitals were out (i.e. Green, Knuble, Perrault, and Backstrom). Unfortunately, they'd lost to Calgary earlier in the day. The Caps posed for pictures and may have been out to support a fundraiser to support The Arlington Food Assistance Center.
In a perfect world, this will be my sports schedule for the week:
Tuesday - Ottawa Senators v Washington Caps, in DC or Oklahoma City Thunder v Philadelphia Sixers, in Philly
Wednesday - Milwaukee Bucks v Cleveland Cavs, in Cleveland
Saturday - NCAA Final Four games, in Indianapolis
How much of this schedule will actually be realized is still up in the air. Then again, anything is possible. Everything will most likely be a last minute decision. I'm exhausted from last week's adventures and I'm trying to pick and choose my adventures carefully since I'm not sure yet, how much I owe the tax man this year. ****Mental note, I must call my accountant tomorrow.
I'm racking my brain for sports topics that are relevant and interesting and I'm drawing a complete blank, so until next time...
I don't want to put up wedding pics, since that's not really the function of this blog, so here's a pic of me with Penny Hardaway (i.e. Anfernee Hardaway, a Memphis alumnus) at the Final Four in 2008. Part of the fun of being at events like the Final Four is running into NBA players who are out there supporting their alma maters. With Duke, Michigan State, Butler, and WVU in the running this year ~ there should be a good number of former players in the crowd, so if you're a basketball fan, keep your eyes open.
Penny Hardaway was in San Antonio rooting for his Tigers ~ Feb 2008
**** Updated November 23, 2010: Someone keeps doing a Google search on "Penny Hardaway girlfriend" and this post and image come up in the search. For the record ~ No, I am not and was never his girlfriend. I just ran into the guy in San Antonio.
THE WIRK
Monday, February 1, 2010
UNC and Coach Williams can only go UP from here!
I used to love watching ACC Sunday TV. Last night, I started to watch UVA v UNC yesterday and I fell asleep. Does that tell you anything? Ok - UVA v UNC isn't exactly a dream match-up, but ACC basketball is supposed to be exciting ~ right!?!? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Duke or UNC supposed to be at the top of the conference standing? I caught a little bit of the Clemson v MD game earlier on Sunday, and I really think I heard the announcers say that Maryland was at the top of the ACC. Did I hear right, or was I dreaming?!?! Seriously?!?! What is going on here?!?! My allegiance and family loyalty tell me to root for Duke. Believe it or not, I'll cheer for UNC right after Duke, and Maryland takes 3rd. Maryland is in my top 3 because of its close proximity to where I live; and therefore, it's equals easier access to my 2 favorite ACC teams.
Duke. I'm basically all talked out about them. They lost to Georgetown on Saturday. I saw that coming. Duke might be leading the ACC, but they are not the Duke team I want to "see". They are weak and not a scary team that strikes fear into the hearts of their oppoents. March is going to be rough without the intimidation factor.
Maryland. Wow. They lost to Clemson at home yesterday. Oliver Purnell's Clemson Tigers are notching up some quality wins over their weak ACC rivals. I will never be a Clemson fan. I couldn't care less, but a win is a win.
UNC. Ok - first of all, they called it a "snow day" in Chapel Hill last night... According to the announcers, the season ticket holders called in saying that they wouldn't be going to the Dean Smith Center because of the inclement weather. Ugh. Had I known that, I'd probably have made the drive to Chapel Hill, had some lunch at Top of the Hill (i.e. I'd be wiling to be that the Maitland's joint still there), and took in the game. They let the students move down to the lower bowl, so that the arena looked packed for TV. Incidentally, the Washington Wizards should do that, too :-P Yesterday was the perfect opportunity to watch the young Tarheels team get upset in a high dollar seat... I could've witnessed the worst Tarheels' home loss since 2003. Now THAT would've been something to blog about...
Instead, I'm recalling the 2008 Final Four in San Antonio. I went to the Final Four in San Antonio and watched the games with my brother. I had money on the Tarheels, since I was in Vegas the weekend prior and I even carried my betting slip in my purse to San Antionio. I thought I had the money in the bank, but it's a good thing I hadn't already spent it. Damn. I watched one of the saddest Tarheel performances in tournament history. I couldn't believe my eyes, and I think as an ACC fan I even blocked most of it from memory ~ since I can't remember who beat them, but I can sure as hell remember that UNC lost.
A month or so later after the Tourney, I was working in Raleigh, NC. I was at RDU and waiting to go through the TSA security line. As I waited, I did what I always do... I looked around to see if I "knew" anyone in line. Why I do this, I'll never know ~ but I always do it, and to be honest, with as much as I travel, I always seem to find someone who's face I recognize. Sure enough Coach Roy Williams was in the line next to me! Hmmm... Ok - be cool, Sarah... I'd never really been a fan of Roy Williams. For some reason I never liked Kansas. Not sure, why. Just never did. But even though I wasn't a personal fan of his at the time, even I knew that a chance meeting with Coach Roy Williams was special.
Coach was looking around also and I caught his eye. I did what I always do... I waved and then I started with charades. I made the motion that looked like I was taking his picture with my fake camera and pointed to the waiting area at the end of security line, then just smiled. He smiled and nodded yes. Yep, I was all set. I would get to meet Roy Williams!
His line was moving faster than mine. Story of my life... Lol. To kill time in line, I started to text, every UNC fan I knew to tell them who I was going to talk to, since I thought it was very cool. Coach finished going through securityy before I did, and he was gracious enough to wait and point to the shoe shine area. I get through the line and wait a couple mins for him to finish up. By that time other people noticed who he was and there were a few people waiting with pens and paper for him. Once his shoes were shined, he signed a few autographs and then I had my turn. He posed for a picture and we talked while we walked towards our gates.
I told him I was a fan of the ACC and admitted to him that I was a Duke fan because of my brother, but followed up and told him that I respected UNC's program. He smiled. We kept walking and then I told him that I was at the Final Four and watched his team lose. I told him I couldn't believe what I'd seen. Coach's face immediately sank. I managed to deflate him in less than 20 paces and I felt like crap. You could see it in his face. He was still feeling the hurt. He made some comment about how he couldn't believe it either. I honestly can't remember what he said, but til this day I can see the look in his eyes and feel the pain.
I saw his quote, "How can you go any lower?" after his team's loss yesterday and can only imagine how he feels. He's a professional, and of course he and the young team will get through this and grow through the experience(s) ~ but I have to respect that Coach loves that team and feels the same pain (if not more) as his players. If I saw Roy tomorrow, I'd tell him not to worry, because all they can do now is go UP! :-P
THE WIRK
Duke. I'm basically all talked out about them. They lost to Georgetown on Saturday. I saw that coming. Duke might be leading the ACC, but they are not the Duke team I want to "see". They are weak and not a scary team that strikes fear into the hearts of their oppoents. March is going to be rough without the intimidation factor.
Maryland. Wow. They lost to Clemson at home yesterday. Oliver Purnell's Clemson Tigers are notching up some quality wins over their weak ACC rivals. I will never be a Clemson fan. I couldn't care less, but a win is a win.
UNC. Ok - first of all, they called it a "snow day" in Chapel Hill last night... According to the announcers, the season ticket holders called in saying that they wouldn't be going to the Dean Smith Center because of the inclement weather. Ugh. Had I known that, I'd probably have made the drive to Chapel Hill, had some lunch at Top of the Hill (i.e. I'd be wiling to be that the Maitland's joint still there), and took in the game. They let the students move down to the lower bowl, so that the arena looked packed for TV. Incidentally, the Washington Wizards should do that, too :-P Yesterday was the perfect opportunity to watch the young Tarheels team get upset in a high dollar seat... I could've witnessed the worst Tarheels' home loss since 2003. Now THAT would've been something to blog about...
Instead, I'm recalling the 2008 Final Four in San Antonio. I went to the Final Four in San Antonio and watched the games with my brother. I had money on the Tarheels, since I was in Vegas the weekend prior and I even carried my betting slip in my purse to San Antionio. I thought I had the money in the bank, but it's a good thing I hadn't already spent it. Damn. I watched one of the saddest Tarheel performances in tournament history. I couldn't believe my eyes, and I think as an ACC fan I even blocked most of it from memory ~ since I can't remember who beat them, but I can sure as hell remember that UNC lost.
Final Four 2008
A month or so later after the Tourney, I was working in Raleigh, NC. I was at RDU and waiting to go through the TSA security line. As I waited, I did what I always do... I looked around to see if I "knew" anyone in line. Why I do this, I'll never know ~ but I always do it, and to be honest, with as much as I travel, I always seem to find someone who's face I recognize. Sure enough Coach Roy Williams was in the line next to me! Hmmm... Ok - be cool, Sarah... I'd never really been a fan of Roy Williams. For some reason I never liked Kansas. Not sure, why. Just never did. But even though I wasn't a personal fan of his at the time, even I knew that a chance meeting with Coach Roy Williams was special.
Coach was looking around also and I caught his eye. I did what I always do... I waved and then I started with charades. I made the motion that looked like I was taking his picture with my fake camera and pointed to the waiting area at the end of security line, then just smiled. He smiled and nodded yes. Yep, I was all set. I would get to meet Roy Williams!
His line was moving faster than mine. Story of my life... Lol. To kill time in line, I started to text, every UNC fan I knew to tell them who I was going to talk to, since I thought it was very cool. Coach finished going through securityy before I did, and he was gracious enough to wait and point to the shoe shine area. I get through the line and wait a couple mins for him to finish up. By that time other people noticed who he was and there were a few people waiting with pens and paper for him. Once his shoes were shined, he signed a few autographs and then I had my turn. He posed for a picture and we talked while we walked towards our gates.
With Roy Williams, April 2008
I told him I was a fan of the ACC and admitted to him that I was a Duke fan because of my brother, but followed up and told him that I respected UNC's program. He smiled. We kept walking and then I told him that I was at the Final Four and watched his team lose. I told him I couldn't believe what I'd seen. Coach's face immediately sank. I managed to deflate him in less than 20 paces and I felt like crap. You could see it in his face. He was still feeling the hurt. He made some comment about how he couldn't believe it either. I honestly can't remember what he said, but til this day I can see the look in his eyes and feel the pain.
Half-time score @ Final Four 2008, UNC eventually loses by 18... Final: 66-84...
I saw his quote, "How can you go any lower?" after his team's loss yesterday and can only imagine how he feels. He's a professional, and of course he and the young team will get through this and grow through the experience(s) ~ but I have to respect that Coach loves that team and feels the same pain (if not more) as his players. If I saw Roy tomorrow, I'd tell him not to worry, because all they can do now is go UP! :-P
THE WIRK
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