March Madness is here and I'm not ready ~ See you in Vegas

So it's the advent of my return to Las Vegas for March Madness and aside from watching a few conference tournament games, I can honestly say I have no idea what's going on this year.  Last year, I hit the road and jockeyed cities to watch the games.  This year, frankly I don't have the energy to travel that much right now.  Sooooooo, it's just easier and more fun for me to visit with my friends from Portland et al, and sit in a sportsbook to wager.

Based on what little I know and from my past experience here are a few bullet points for what I think:

• I'm not taking Louisville to go far.  There seems to be little incentive for Coach Pitino to win, so I'll look forward to seeing Louisville's head coach on the sports panel(s) commentating as soon as his guys get bounced.
• If I have to pick a 12 to beat a 5, I'm picking Harvard University to pull off the upset.
• If UNC goes against FSU anywhere in the draw (i.e. can you tell I have yet to look at a bracket), I'm taking Florida State University.  The Seminoles are the Tarheels' kryptonite.
• Everyone I'm talking to seem to like the Kentucky Wildcats to win this year.
• I'm not joining any pools this year.  I've been out of the country for about 6-7 months, and you're not getting my "easy money".

I'll add more if/when I think of more.


THE WIRK

How many times have you talked about Harvard basketball? I've done it twice

Earlier today I met Michael Murphy, Assistant Coach for the Columbia University basketball team.  He told me that they're playing Harvard this weekend.  What a coincidence!  I'd just seen Harvard play...

I let him know that I just saw Harvard defeat George Washington University a couple of weeks ago at the Charles E. Smith Center.  I think he was impressed that I knew that Tommy Amaker was Harvard's coach.  ****  I know a lot of people and my friends know a lot of people so you never know...  I just might know some of your people and often I know more than you'd expect... 

Anyway, it just goes to show that you never know who you're talking to and yes, when it comes to basketball I definitely know "stuff"...

Incidentally, did you know that NBA veteran Donyell Marshall is on Karl Hobb's staff?  Can you see him looking at the camera from the huddle?  My guess is that the University of Connecticut connection didn't hurt.

It was my first time watching a George Washington University men's basketball home game, but I have to admit, I had a good time.  The Colonials have dropped 4 straight including the loss to Harvard so hopefully, they rebound in their next game against St. Louis.

THE WIRK