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

TheWirk.com takes in Charlotte for the NCAAs ~ Well, at least her avatar did

Sarah can't be everywhere, so TheWirk.com is engaging fans and followers of the blog to create a "THE WIRK Avatar" to take to sporting events in their area and report back on the action and highlights.

Lucky fans and followers who post pictures like this of "their" THE WIRK Avatar at sporting events they attend may get a chance to meet her at a future event when she comes back around to their city.  ****  You may even get a seat upgrade, because she sometimes has extra tickets on her.



RixStar was hanging out with a "THE WIRK Avatar" in Charlotte for some Eastern Regional NCAA Basketball Action at TimeWarner Cable Arena.



The "Avatar" getting ready to go inside the arena

for some NCAA action



THE WIRK has been to over 70 different sporting venues.
This is inside the main entrance to the TIME WARNER
 arena where the Charlotte Bobcats play.

Duke defeated Hampton in the early afternoon session.  THE WIRK had choice 4th row seats for this first session match-up, thanks to a hook-up at Hampton University. Go RixStar!

 

Between sessions, the "Avatar" checks out some of the
other NCAA action on a TV back in the room
at the Ritz Carlton Hotel next to the arena. This is so cool.
A TV built into the mirror in the bathroom



During the session, Jim Nantz looks like he's
checking out THE WIRK's Avatar!

THE WIRK, is a Duke fan (i.e. her brother went there) but she also like UNC, unless they're playing Duke.  Go Tarheels!  In one of the night games, John Henson hits one of his 28 points in UNC's victory over Long Island Univ.

THE WIRK is all about entertainment inside and outside of your favorite sporting venues. She knows where to hang out and have fun after the games.  Here she is at the Epicenter entertainment complex across from the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. It has 3 levels of restaurants, lounges and other night spots.

At Epicenter



RixStar

-----------------------------------------

****  Note:  I was really in Cleveland, OH to watch the tournament there.  Post forthcoming once I rest!

THE WIRK

ESPN 30 for 30: The Fab Five ~ Watch it

Where were you when Chris Webber called time out?  I know exactly where I was.  I was on Spring Break, in Hawaii, watching the game with my dad.  When Webber called time out, I couldn't believe my eyes.  It was surreal.  I was stunned.  I can't even image how he felt and feels today about it.  I was only a fan, but he was a part of the team.

Tonight I watched the ESPN 30 for 30: The Fab Five.  When I heard that the Fab 5 would be featured in the 30 for 30 series, I couldn't wait to see it.  I wasn't going to wait for the replay.  I was going to see it on its first run.

I'm not going to fake like Michigan was my favorite team.  I am from Ohio, but I will admit to not being a fan of North Carolina.  I've always been a Duke fan.  Growing up my neighbor, Betty, was an old lady and her dog was named "Duke".  I watched Duke play, and I just grew up rooting for Duke.  ****  Let's be clear, first and foremost I was a Georgetown Hoyas fan.  However, Michigan's hold on the basketball universe wasn't until Ewing was already a Knick so I was open to rooting for new teams.  In the 90s I'd pick Michigan over any team (i.e. except The Ohio State Buckeyes and Duke).

If you cared at all about college basketball in the early 90s, you need to watch this documentary.  Narrated by Taye Diggs with commentary from Ray Jackson, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Jalen Rose the story comes to life.  You hear from Coach Fisher, media and a few other people who lend their voice to provide insight as to the style and culture of the times (i.e. Ice Cube).  One voice is so absent that it's probably the most obvious and that's the voice of Chris Webber.

We all know what happened.  In the 1993 NCAA Championship game against UNC, Chris Webber called time out when he was forced into the corner, over by the Michigan bench.  In the documentary you can see that one of the players was signaling for Webber to call timeout.  Webber was in the corner thanks to the Tarheel trap and called timeout.  ****  Ugh, I can't even imagine...  Michigan was assessed the technical foul, UNC made both their free throws to win the game, and peoples' lives were never the same. 

I tried to embed the following video, but embedding is disabled.  If you want to watch the highlights and lowlights of that championship game, here's a link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn-_URq7K04.

The story told in this ESPN 30 for 30 documentary is about more than the timeout.  The story is a reflection of the culture in Detroit and the sign of the times.  Hip hop and rap music were/are a part of the culture in Detroit.  Wolverines no longer wore short shorts.  Things as simple as black socks were being copied. 

People are afraid of change and unfortunately racism exists.  It was shocking for me to see the old letters, clippings, and pictures that were sent to the school, coaches, and players.  I'll never understand that degree of hate.  To be honest, it saddens me.

Of course, it wouldn't be a great story without tremendous up and downs, and I believe the story was told fairly.  Sure there was an NCAA scandal.  Yes, there was an investigation.  I don't want to minimize any of that.  Yes, the banners came down.  Of course that's all part of the story and it's told in an interesting manner.

Watch the documentary.  Remember the early 90s.  Sit in disbelief that Juwan Howard is still in the league and looks better than ever.  Jalen Rose's voice is heard on ABC and ESPN, but his personality shines in this documentary.  ****  If you're not familiar with Jalen's history, read the ESPN The Magazine article (i.e. written by my friend, Jerry Bembry), "The legacy of Jimmy Walker and Jalen Rose".  The link is here: http://es.pn/esSIVq for your convenience so you can copy-paste it into a new window.

A couple of my favorite quotes come from Jalen.  Here are two quotes.  One that made me laugh and another one that struck me.

• "Who wants to go to Europe? It's not Detroit."
• "Tell me who was the starting line up for the Carolina team that beat us."

Jimmy King and Ray Jackson lend their voices to tell their own story, and Coach Fisher has his current success at San Diego State University to focus on as March Madness starts this week.  We all know Chris Webber still has that mega-watt smile.  His basketball IQ and personality shine on TV for TNT and NBA TV.  I just wish I would've heard his voice tonight in the documentary.  I'm sure if and when Webber decides he's ready to speak, he'll have an eager audience.

UPDATE (3/16/2011):  We have yet to hear from Chris Webber, but we have Grant Hill's response to the comments made about Duke University and himself.  Here is a link to the piece that he wrote for the New YorkTimes:  http://nyti.ms/hqxfYE.   I'd paraphrase his words for you, but I think it's best you read it yourself.  Further, according to his Twitter account, "Due to space consideration the NY Times had to edited my response. The full response will be posted on my website www.granthill.com soon".


THE WIRK

Duke beats UNC for the ACC Championship ~ GTH Carolina, GTH!!!

My brother and I, 2005 ACC Tournament

If you haven't been to an ACC Tournament and you're a fan of a team in the ACC you really need to make the trip.  I'm a Big East and ACC fan.  I grew up loving the Georgetown Hoyas, and was crushed when they were upset by Villanova in 1985.  I ended up liking Duke, and my brother ultimately went to Duke for 9 years to pursue all of his degrees.  While my brother was at Duke, I was dating and engaged to a professional basketball player who's teammate(s) went to Duke, and I would get free tickets for my brother and I through them.  I've been to Cameron Indoor Stadium numerous times, and it's amazing.


Coach K cutting down the net, ACC Tournament 2005

I've been to the ACC Tournament at least once.  I know I saw it in 2005, when it was in Washington DC.  I may have seen it another time in Greensboro, NC but I can't remember if it was the ACC Tournament or the NCAA Tournament.



Duke ~ 2005 ACC Tournament Champions

Anyway, today Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils beat the UNC Tarheels with a final score 75-58.  Duke's Nolan Smith had 20 points and 10 assists.  UNC's John Henson had 10 points and 18 rebounds in the losing effort.  I only caught the 2nd half, since I had plans earlier today but the Blue Devils prevailed.



I was out a few weeks ago with a couple of guys.  One was a retired NBA Veteran and UNC alumnus.  The other was a Duke alumnus and a current professional basketball player.  We were at a fundraiser for an NBA player's foundation and as the Blue Devil walked by the UNC guy yelled, "Go to hell, Duke.  Go to hell."  ****  For those of you familiar with the rivalry, that's not uncommon ~ but the chant is wrong.  Immediately, the Duke alumnus and I both smiled and yelled back, "Go to hell, Carolina.  Go to hell."  We all laughed, but let's not get it twisted ~ this rivalry is serious.

Check out the tourney.  If you're a fan, you owe it to yourself!

THE WIRK

UNC v Duke doesn't disappoint tonight ~ Duke defeats UNC

The North Carolina Tarheels are giving the Duke Blue Devils a run for their money at Cameron Indoor Stadium tonight. 

****  I'm not sure when I was at Cameron Indoor last, but since I'm doing this post on the fly the best pictures I have that I can locate are from 2006.

Right now, the year is 2011 and the game is tied at 62 with just under 6 minutes left in the game. 

Both Roy Williams and Coack K are coaching their hearts out right now.  Actually, I've met both coaches at airports ironically and they both were nothing but nice.  I'd describe them as very personable and appreciative of the fan support.

If you haven't been to Cameron Indoor Stadium or the Dean Smith Center to witness a Duke v UNC match-up you really need to count and save your pennies and make it happen.  Both venues are very different.  Cameron Indoor is so much more intimate, but to experience the rivalry "right" I recommend you check out both stops.  ****  I'll save my Dean Smith Center pics for later.

If you're a college basketball fan, this is one rivalry game that needs to be seen in person.

I used to go to Cameron Indoor once a year for a period of about 4 years.  I've been to the Dean Smith Center at least twice.  If you end up at Chapel Hill, stop at the Top of the Hill for some food and/or drink before or after the game.  I met Scott Maitland years ago at the ACC Tournament (i.e. when it was held in Washington DC), and I've been to the restaurant a few times.  I have nothing but good things to say.

This rivalry has so much history that alumni and sports fans return to see the action first-hand.

Can you pick out Duke alumni: Danny Ferry and Billy King?

What about the Terp, Len Elmore?

Don't believe that it's a great match-up?  Check out who I saw when I went to the game in 2006.  Yes, that's Cal Ripken Jr.

Duke just defeated UNC.  Final score 79-73.  Nolan Smith had a career-high 34 points.  Great game!

The rematch at the Dean Smith Center, is scheduled for March 5th.

THE WIRK

Caps, Caps, Caps! ~ What a great couple of games and nights out!

The Caps are back at the Verizon Center and are perfect since the Olympic break.  Thursday night, I was lucky enough to take in the Caps game v the Tampa Bay Lightning in one of the Lexus suites thanks to my friend with another technology company.  There was an event, and I met a great group of guys.  Caps beat the Lightning and it was a great warm-up for a fun night out with new friends. 

That was Thursday...

----------------

Yesterday, I caught the OT period of the (10) WVU and (9) Villanova game.  Great game and WVU pulled off the upset.

Last night, I had another suite ticket thanks to a friend and took in the Caps v Rangers game.  Who doesn't like a free ticket?  It was the Caps 46th consecutive sell-out game and almost everyone at the Verizon Center was "Rocking the Red".  If you haven't been to a Caps game yet, what are you waiting for?

I'd been in this suite before, thanks to my friend, Amy so I thought I knew what to expect.  Wow,  Was I wrong...

The suite is located near the Dunkin Donuts on the concourse, and my sweet tooth was craving some sugar.  I left the suite to pick up a couple of donuts and a large iced coffee.  Sure enough, within 2 minutes, I was joined by about 7 police officers who told me that, "Cops don't eat donuts," as they patiently waited in line.  They were funny.  I told my friend about it, and she said I should've snapped a picture for the blog.  Shoot ~ she was right?!!?  Oh well.  Opportunity missed, but something tells me I'll have the chance to do it again.

Amy and I started out watching the game in a great suite.  In the 1st period, Eric Fehr put the Caps up 1-0.  Fantastic.  I'm a fan of Fehrzy so that's great.  Belanger scored the 2nd goal ~ and that's great news for him, since he's a new addition to the team.  Both goals by an "Eric"...

It was a physical game

I never really pay attention to the entertainment between the periods, but this time I watched the Mites play.  The Mites are the little kids that take the ice and play "lil hockey".  They're adorable.  One thing that I couldn't help but notice was that the lil goalie had leg pads that were almost as big as him!  So cute.  Poor lil guy got worked for a hat trick though, by some other kid.  I know the kid's name, but am not going to mention it here because he's a kid.

Just adorable!!!

Right before the 3rd period, I could heard Amy's name being called in the suite.  Next thing you know I was told to grab my purse because we were moving down to right behind the goal on the glass!!!  What?!?!  That's right, our sweet, suite seats were being UPGRADED to RIGHT BEHIND THE GOAL, ON THE GLASS!!!

Check out the view from the new seats. 

Jose Theodore was perfect

The Caps won the game, 2-0.  I was thrilled to have such a great fan experience, I actually bought an Ovechkin jersey, while walking along the concourse.  This is the first jersey I've ever purchased.  Do you have a Caps jersey yet?  I guess I've officially jumped on the Caps' bandwagon now ~ but I have to admit, that the Caps are definitely the best show in town!!!  Thank you, Caps!  What a great night out!!!

Thank you, Amy!

After the hockey game, we went out to see some friends, and I noticed that Duke was killing UNC at home.  The final score was Duke 82, UNC 50.  WOW.  Here's an exchange I had last night, that still makes me laugh today.  What a tough year, for Roy Williams, the Tarheels, Tarheel fans and the ACC...  Ouch.

Me: Wow. Duke is killing UNC?

Friend: Don't watch that. UNC is going to the NIT.

Me: UNC should head to the YMCA instead...

Oh - one more thing... While I was out, I ran into a familiar face.  "You look like a girl I've known since I was 6 years old," I said to her.  As it turns out, she was/is a girl I've known since 2nd grade.  Moral of the story ~ If you're out there, I will find you!  I pay attention to people and I rarely forget a face.  It doesn't matter if I haven't seen you in a year or years, if I consider you a friend or family, I'll find you in a crowd...

Next week, is going to be a great week.  The Dallas Stars take on the Caps on Monday, and it looks like I'm heading to check out that game out also...  There's basketball and another concert on the schedule for me...  Conference tourneys begin...  Gotta keep it moving...


THE WIRK

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.

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