First off I'd like to congratulate the Gophers on their first NCAA tournament since 2005. If you erase the years that they cheated the gophers haven't won a NCAA tournament game since 1992. So making it is actually a big accomplishment for them.
What I like about the NCAA tournaments is the brackets. Everyone does them. Sports fans, and non sports fans, men, women, young, old, and yes even the dumb.
Let's look at my 5 rules of filling out brackets.
1.)People say go with teams the have good guards. What does this even mean? These teams aren't just good because they have good guards. What they're saying is if a team has good forwards then we shouldn't pick them. I think any team that is a 4-5 seed or higher is just good, and it doesn't matter if it's guards or forwards or even a center that makes your team good.
2.)I don't like picking by conference. I think conferences get overrated and underrated. So I think you need to focus more on actual matchups. ESPN has the Big East contract. So it's to their benefit if the Big East is the best. So who do you think they'll talk about.
3.)Don't pick upsets in first round. Make your upsets be 6 beating 3 rather than 14 beating 3. Those upsets will just hurt you a lot more later than they'll help you. Don't risk 10pts. to gain 1pt.
4.)Don't ever pick a team from Minnesota. Do you think that those people who won their brackets with Minnesota should have to give their money back? Those games didn't happen according to the NCAA.
5.)Most of all I think it is all about luck. Nobody that has an actual life can actually dissect each team and matchup. And the guys that do it for a living don't win every bracket they do. It's not like Digger Phelps is winning ESPN's bracket. Pick favorites and the teams you have heard of. That's why you've heard of them, it's because they win in March.
So stick those rules in the future and you can be successful just like me. Actually I just lost 2 games in the last 5 minutes.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Jay Leno
Jay Leno is doing a free show in Detroit for all of those who may have lost their job or are struggling in this economy. Leno set it up along with Pepsi so that everything would be free. You can park for free, go to the comedy show for free, free soft drinks from the concession stands, and they're working on free food too. They were even giving away free domino's pizza in line as people were waiting for tickets.
So what happened. As expected the tickets were all given out. They'll fill the Palace, where the Pistons play. But now there are douche bags who are putting their tickets on Ebay for as much as $800. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?.
So what happened. As expected the tickets were all given out. They'll fill the Palace, where the Pistons play. But now there are douche bags who are putting their tickets on Ebay for as much as $800. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Day #2 at the tourny.
What a disappointing tournament this has turned out to be. We went into Thursday expecting some great games leading towards a great championship game. Granted we do have two big name schools. Moorhead vs. Eden Prairie. Moorhead lost 8 consecutive games at some point during the season. Eden Prairie deserved to win yesterday. Blaine went up 2-0 and then iced the puck for the next two periods while Eden prarie scored 4 unanswered.
So Ty and I will make our way down there tonight. I hope Moorhead wins. The last thing we need is for Eden Prarie to start winning hockey tournaments too.
Prediction:
Eden Prarie 5 - Moorhead 2
So Ty and I will make our way down there tonight. I hope Moorhead wins. The last thing we need is for Eden Prarie to start winning hockey tournaments too.
Prediction:
Eden Prarie 5 - Moorhead 2
Friday, March 13, 2009
DAY #1 at the tourny
WOW!!!!!
What the hell happened yesterday. Don't ever start drinking at 9:30AM. What a nightmare. Let's take a stroll down memory lane. Well what I remember at least. This was the first year my dad didn't go on Thursday in my lifetime. Boy was it different.
Billy and I get to McGoverns at 9:30am. The first bloody was gone by 10:00am. We ran into a few friends down at McGoverns. So we got a few buckets prior to heading to XCEL. Billy and I left towards the Xcel, we didn't make it in the first try. We had to stop into Eagle Street for a few 16oz. PBR's. Finally about 6-7 beers into the day, we make our way into the Xcel. We watch the remainder of the first game, and first two periods of the second game. We ran into a couple of guys we usually eat dinner with, and told them we'd meet them at Shamrocks for dinner in between the games. This is where it gets interesting.
Planning on going to Shamrocks for dinner, we stopped into McGoverns to meet up with friends for a couple of beers. A couple of beers turned into numerous buckets. We never made it Shamrocks needless to say. We were hanging out with a couple of friends having a good time. They left for the games and we got another bucket for the two of us. My next certain memory is waking up this morning. Talking to a few people I have some recollection of certain points.
There was the time at McGoverns when Billy and I were sitting there, and I went to take a piss, and ended up at Eagle Street. Billy forgot his cell phone, so he had no idea where I was. We were split up for over an hour. How do you lose each other, when there is only two of you. I called Bobby and told him I was lost. Billy had to borrow a ladies phone to call me, and then proceeded to drop the phone. When I was talking to him, I told him I couldn't hear him, but wouldn't go to a spot I could hear him. He then finds me at Eagle Street and I act as if he had been there the entire time. So in a nutshell I went to the bathroom at McGoverns and ended up at Eagle Street by myself.
There was the waitress I hired as a cart girl.
There was the group of Andover coaches I ran into. I wonder if I'll be announcing for them next year?
There was the time I dropped my phone, and left it at that. I acted as though it went down a well or something. Even though it was just laying next to my feet. Billy had to convince me to pick it up. I was ready to just leave it there. I also lost the back of my phone, so now my battery falls out?
There was the $200 that Billy spent.
There was the fact that I was unaware the Edina lost.
There was a manager from another softball team in our league that was talking shit. I called Stueve to inform him of this. I told him the story, and forgot that I had told him, and then told him the exact same 7 minute story again.
There was the lady from Moorhead I conversated with. I was so interested in the city of Moorhead. And here brother hated Billy and I.
There was the time that we tried go over to Blake's house but didn't make it past Mickey's Diner.
In Mickey's diner I asked the lady behind the counter if she was Charlie Conway's mom. And then I asked her about another three dozen times.
There was the time I called my pregnant wife at 1:30am to pick us up. She then had to call her pregnant sister to come with her so I could get my vehicle home.
There was the fact that I didn't know how to get out of the vehicle.
So basically I was a complete wreck. I think we stimulated the economy with the money we spent. I think we annoyed dozens if not hundreds of people. I had to be supporting at least a .30. I probably knocked at least a week off of my life. I called the hospital and put my name on the liver list. I don't need one know, but I will. I would say it was interesting day to say the least. I'm not gonna lie, my wife's pretty mad at me. It was perhaps the drunkest I've ever been. 15 1/2 hours of straight drinking (I ate 1 sandwich all day), with periodic breaks.
And I'm going back in a couple of hours.
As far as the tourny goes. Pretty big upsets in the last 2 games. It looked like Edina thought they were going to breeze through that one, damn cake eaters. I should have talked to Charlie Conways' mom about it. Blaine and Eden Prairie tonight will be a great game. Blaine might just win this thing.
What the hell happened yesterday. Don't ever start drinking at 9:30AM. What a nightmare. Let's take a stroll down memory lane. Well what I remember at least. This was the first year my dad didn't go on Thursday in my lifetime. Boy was it different.
Billy and I get to McGoverns at 9:30am. The first bloody was gone by 10:00am. We ran into a few friends down at McGoverns. So we got a few buckets prior to heading to XCEL. Billy and I left towards the Xcel, we didn't make it in the first try. We had to stop into Eagle Street for a few 16oz. PBR's. Finally about 6-7 beers into the day, we make our way into the Xcel. We watch the remainder of the first game, and first two periods of the second game. We ran into a couple of guys we usually eat dinner with, and told them we'd meet them at Shamrocks for dinner in between the games. This is where it gets interesting.
Planning on going to Shamrocks for dinner, we stopped into McGoverns to meet up with friends for a couple of beers. A couple of beers turned into numerous buckets. We never made it Shamrocks needless to say. We were hanging out with a couple of friends having a good time. They left for the games and we got another bucket for the two of us. My next certain memory is waking up this morning. Talking to a few people I have some recollection of certain points.
There was the time at McGoverns when Billy and I were sitting there, and I went to take a piss, and ended up at Eagle Street. Billy forgot his cell phone, so he had no idea where I was. We were split up for over an hour. How do you lose each other, when there is only two of you. I called Bobby and told him I was lost. Billy had to borrow a ladies phone to call me, and then proceeded to drop the phone. When I was talking to him, I told him I couldn't hear him, but wouldn't go to a spot I could hear him. He then finds me at Eagle Street and I act as if he had been there the entire time. So in a nutshell I went to the bathroom at McGoverns and ended up at Eagle Street by myself.
There was the waitress I hired as a cart girl.
There was the group of Andover coaches I ran into. I wonder if I'll be announcing for them next year?
There was the time I dropped my phone, and left it at that. I acted as though it went down a well or something. Even though it was just laying next to my feet. Billy had to convince me to pick it up. I was ready to just leave it there. I also lost the back of my phone, so now my battery falls out?
There was the $200 that Billy spent.
There was the fact that I was unaware the Edina lost.
There was a manager from another softball team in our league that was talking shit. I called Stueve to inform him of this. I told him the story, and forgot that I had told him, and then told him the exact same 7 minute story again.
There was the lady from Moorhead I conversated with. I was so interested in the city of Moorhead. And here brother hated Billy and I.
There was the time that we tried go over to Blake's house but didn't make it past Mickey's Diner.
In Mickey's diner I asked the lady behind the counter if she was Charlie Conway's mom. And then I asked her about another three dozen times.
There was the time I called my pregnant wife at 1:30am to pick us up. She then had to call her pregnant sister to come with her so I could get my vehicle home.
There was the fact that I didn't know how to get out of the vehicle.
So basically I was a complete wreck. I think we stimulated the economy with the money we spent. I think we annoyed dozens if not hundreds of people. I had to be supporting at least a .30. I probably knocked at least a week off of my life. I called the hospital and put my name on the liver list. I don't need one know, but I will. I would say it was interesting day to say the least. I'm not gonna lie, my wife's pretty mad at me. It was perhaps the drunkest I've ever been. 15 1/2 hours of straight drinking (I ate 1 sandwich all day), with periodic breaks.
And I'm going back in a couple of hours.
As far as the tourny goes. Pretty big upsets in the last 2 games. It looked like Edina thought they were going to breeze through that one, damn cake eaters. I should have talked to Charlie Conways' mom about it. Blaine and Eden Prairie tonight will be a great game. Blaine might just win this thing.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
State High School Hockey
When you're a giant sports fan like most of us are. There are certain events and matchups that peak your interest. This time of year has as many of those fixes. We have spring training and world baseball classic. We have both the NBA and NHL lumbering towards the playoffs with big games nearly every night. We have the NCAA conference tourney's with the big dance right around the corner. Partner all of that with NFL free agency and the draft and out proverbial sports plate is full. But there is one event that is unusually popular in Minnesota. It is enjoyed and watched by nearly the entire state. It doesn't matter if your a young kid or an aging grandparent, or just Joe Blow sports fan. This event gathers the attention of everyone from Andover to Zumbrota. You can live in Minneapolis with a population over 360,000. You can live in Roseau with a population of 2,700 people. This event is the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament.
This event is something I've attended every tournament since 1989. And I got to miss school for years and years which was always nice. It used to be one tournament and now there are two tournaments, with the AA and A tournaments. The AA is the tournament of choice for this guy. This tournament sells out year after year. So you have 15,16,17, and 18 year old kids playing in front of 17,000 - 18,000 people. These kids aren't making any money. Their effort is unquestioned. You might see one or two of these kids in the NHL some day. A handful will play division I hockey. Most of these kids will never play organized hockey again. So this is why they played hockey, to get to this point. It's refreshing watching sports on a natural level. Everybody wants to win, for one reason, and that is to be the best. No one is thinking about contracts, or endorsements, or draft spots. They just want to be the team celebrating Saturday night, and go back to their community with a state championship.
With that being said here are my predictions for the AA tournament.
THURSDAY
Eden Prairie 4 - Hill Murray 2
Blaine 6 - Rochester Century - 0
Edina 5 - Moorhead 3
Duluth East 4 - Cretin Durham Hall 2
FRIDAY
Blaine 4 - Eden Prairie 2
Edina 4 - Duluth East 3
SATURDAY
Edina 3 - Blaine 2
So if you have any predictions throw them in the comments section. And let's see how we do.
This event is something I've attended every tournament since 1989. And I got to miss school for years and years which was always nice. It used to be one tournament and now there are two tournaments, with the AA and A tournaments. The AA is the tournament of choice for this guy. This tournament sells out year after year. So you have 15,16,17, and 18 year old kids playing in front of 17,000 - 18,000 people. These kids aren't making any money. Their effort is unquestioned. You might see one or two of these kids in the NHL some day. A handful will play division I hockey. Most of these kids will never play organized hockey again. So this is why they played hockey, to get to this point. It's refreshing watching sports on a natural level. Everybody wants to win, for one reason, and that is to be the best. No one is thinking about contracts, or endorsements, or draft spots. They just want to be the team celebrating Saturday night, and go back to their community with a state championship.
With that being said here are my predictions for the AA tournament.
THURSDAY
Eden Prairie 4 - Hill Murray 2
Blaine 6 - Rochester Century - 0
Edina 5 - Moorhead 3
Duluth East 4 - Cretin Durham Hall 2
FRIDAY
Blaine 4 - Eden Prairie 2
Edina 4 - Duluth East 3
SATURDAY
Edina 3 - Blaine 2
So if you have any predictions throw them in the comments section. And let's see how we do.
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