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

Jay-Z's Life+Style blog and his $50,000 visit to the Kentucky locker room

Last night I was catching up with a friend and was pointed towards Jay-Z's new blog, Life+Style.  The link to the blog is: http://www.lifeandstyle.com/ and it's hot.  Then again, I pretty much like everything Jay-Z does.  I'm a huge fan.



As I was clicking away on his blog, I was impressed by the design and content on the site.  I was also reminded of Jay-Z's $50,000 fine from the NBA for being in the University of Kentucky locker room during this year's Final Four.

 

Jay-Z, Home and Home Tour 2010



Beyonce and Jay-Z, Game 3: Cavs v Celtics 2010

Jay-Z has been to numerous basketball games and events.  Although I've never seen him at any collegiate events, I'd be willing to bet that the Final Four wasn't his first rodeo.  Of course Jay-Z knew he shouldn't be in the Kentucky Wildcats' locker room, but we all know that $50,000 is NOTHING for the New Jersey Nets' Russian billionaire owner, Mikhail Prokhorov. 

I guess the NBA had to do something, but this fine just made me smile.  I'm a betting woman.  What do you think?  Do you think Brandon Knight ends up in New Jersey?  If I was Prokhorov, I'd ask Jay-Z do all my recruiting.  It's GENIUS.

In reality, I guess only the ping pong balls know where the Nets will pick in the NBA draft but it never hurts to have Jay-Z affiliated (i.e. minority owner) with an organization when it comes to recognizing and signing talent.

On to the next one...

THE WIRK

Fear the Wildcats: Ohio State and Duke ~ Thanks for a good run!

Thursday night the (#1) Duke Blue Devils lost to the (#5) Arizona Wildcats.  Friday night  (#1) Ohio State University Buckeyes lost to the (#4) Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 62-60.  Both teams have exited the 2011 NCAA Tournament.  What does that mean?  It means that my brackets are OFFICIALLY busted.  In addition, I'm OFFICIALLY scared of Wildcats!!!! 

On the bright-side, at least I don't have to worry about going to any other college basketball games!  That's a lot of money saved and/or that can be put towards other stuff.  Don't get me wrong.  I'll still "watch" the games, but I really don't have a dog in the race anymore. 

I didn't watch any of the games, so I don't have anything to say as of now.  I need to take another look at the brackets to see the pairings...  Considering it's cold again where I live, I'll probably stay in all weekend and watch the games.


THE WIRK