#1 Indiana falls..and my bracket is busted!!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by susan

My bracket is officially busted…along with the hopes and dreams of Hoosier fans everywhere.  #1 Indiana took a hard tumble last night to Syracuse, 61 – 50.  It was a very thorough beating with the Syracuse suffocating defense leading them to a well deserved victory.  Oh well, guess we will not be looking to see a John Mellencamp (huge Indiana fan) and girlfriend Meg Ryan sighting in the house at the Final Four in Atlanta.  Syracuse should spice things up a good bit when they head to the ACC next year!

In other games last night, 3 Marquette took care of  2 Miami easily, 71 – 61.  The ten point different does not represent how decisive this victory was for Marquette.  And now there is one ACC team left to carry the banner, 2 Duke in action tonight against 3 Michigan State.

9 Wichita State hammered 13 LaSalle, 72 – 58.  This surprising team was just too big, physical and quick for LaSalle.  In the only close and exciting game of the night, 2 Ohio State snuck by 6 Arizona, 73 – 70.  The Buckeyes overcame an eleven point first half deficit to take the lead in the second.  Arizona hung close and the game was tied with seconds remaining when LaQuinton Ross hit a three point shot that lifted Ohio State to victory and was a dagger to the heart of the Arizona faithful, many of whom were on hand with the game in LA on the west coast.  With 1 Gonzaga out in this regional, the door is open for Ohio State and they managed to continue through it, albeit in a very close one.

After tonight’s action, on Saturday, Ohio State will face Wichita State and Marquette will face off against Syracuse, for the right to head to Atlanta for the Final Four.  Stay tuned…four more games on tap for tonight.  Cinderella Florida Gulf Coast College vs. Florida is one of them!!


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April 1st, MLB Opening Day!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

MLB opening day!  Welcome back the boys of spring, or is it the boys of summer?  Oh well, it is April 1st and MLB is back!  Yes!! Two very appropriate games are featured today on ESPN, first up Boston Red Sox at NY Yankees in the Bronx.  Next, defending World Champion San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers.  Two storied rivalries, one on the east coast, the other on the west coast.  I am an Atlanta Braves fan.  That being said, I love to keep up with the Red Sox and the Yankees and the Giants.  My good friend, Turk, is a scout for the San Francisco Giants.  We tend to bump into each other at Hartsfield International Airport.  Very freaky!  My other good buddy is a Red Sox fan, (he claims he has disowned them, but we all know how deep that loyalty runs!).  He (like Turk) is from Boston.  They are both part of my “beach gang” featured in chapter 8 of my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  The Red Sox fan is the self-proclaimed “prick from the northeast”.  He also is my Indy insider.  Hope both my buds enjoy opening day.  And you guys please check out my book.  Thanks.


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1 Louisville sprints past 2 Duke on the road to Atlanta

Posted on March 31, 2013 by susan

1 Louisville ran right through and all over 2 Duke on their way to the Final Four in Atlanta next weekend with a dominating victory, 85 – 63.  The game was close at the half, Louisville up 35 – 32.  They suffered a devastating loss in the first half when back up guard Kevin Ware (who is from Atlanta) went down in a freak accident, landing awkwardly and broke his right leg in two places.  The game was stopped for nine agonizing minutes while he was tended to and taken off the court on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital.  One did not quite know how either team would react.  Louisville rallied in the second half going on a 13 -2 run and from there, never looked back.  Duke went through a period in the second half where they had missed nine straight shots.  They also struggled at the free throw line.  Take nothing away from Duke, this was all about Louisville.  They certainly looked like the #1 overall seed in the tournament once again, as they have throughout and they go into Atlanta as a very convincing favorite.  They will face upstart and impressive 9 Wichita State next Saturday.  Gotta hand it to the Cardinals, they look they are going to be tough to beat.  But Michigan was very impressive today as well so we will just smile and look forward to next weekend’s Final Four.  Going to be exciting!

1 Louisville vs. 9 Wichita State and 4 Michigan vs. 4 Syracuse…see you there!


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1 Louisville sprints past 2 Duke on the road to Atlanta

Posted on March 31, 2013 by admin

1 Louisville ran right through and all over 2 Duke on their way to the Final Four in Atlanta next weekend with a dominating victory, 85 – 63.  The game was close at the half, Louisville up 35 – 32.  They suffered a devastating loss in the first half when back up guard Kevin Ware (who is from Atlanta) went down in a freak accident, landing awkwardly and broke his right leg in two places.  The game was stopped for nine agonizing minutes while he was tended to and taken off the court on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital.  One did not quite know how either team would react.  Louisville rallied in the second half going on a 13 -2 run and from there, never looked back.  Duke went through a period in the second half where they had missed nine straight shots.  They also struggled at the free throw line.  Take nothing away from Duke, this was all about Louisville.  They certainly looked like the #1 overall seed in the tournament once again, as they have throughout and they go into Atlanta as a very convincing favorite.  They will face upstart and impressive 9 Wichita State next Saturday.  Gotta hand it to the Cardinals, they look they are going to be tough to beat.  But Michigan was very impressive today as well so we will just smile and look forward to next weekend’s Final Four.  Going to be exciting!

1 Louisville vs. 9 Wichita State and 4 Michigan vs. 4 Syracuse…see you there!


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All hail the victor…4 Michigan advances!

Posted on March 31, 2013 by susan

All hail the victor…4 Michigan advances and does so in style!  That is the Michigan fight song, I know because my high school had the same fight song.  4 Michigan simply dominated 3 Florida, rolling to a 79 – 59 victory led by the Trey Burke show, the Big Ten player of the year.  What a performance by the Wolverines.  They will head to the ATL for the Final Four to take on 4 Syracuse.  A matchup of the “big #4’s”!.  Hopefully the weather will be nice when we welcome the college basketball world to the ATL.  It has been beautiful but it going to dip a bit mid week.  Hopefully, spring will be in full bloom for this Final Four event.  Mother nature is fickle, she has a mind of her own, so we will hope for the best.  Next up…the game we have all been waiting for…1 Louisville vs. 2 Duke for the final spot in the journey to the tourney’s final destination!

P.S. The winner of that game will take on the surprising team from Wichita State, a #9 seed!


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All hail the victor…4 Michigan advances!

Posted on March 31, 2013 by admin

All hail the victor…4 Michigan advances and does so in style!  That is the Michigan fight song, I know because my high school had the same fight song.  4 Michigan simply dominated 3 Florida, rolling to a 79 – 59 victory led by the Trey Burke show, the Big Ten player of the year.  What a performance by the Wolverines.  They will head to the ATL for the Final Four to take on 4 Syracuse.  A matchup of the “big #4’s”!.  Hopefully the weather will be nice when we welcome the college basketball world to the ATL.  It has been beautiful but it going to dip a bit mid week.  Hopefully, spring will be in full bloom for this Final Four event.  Mother nature is fickle, she has a mind of her own, so we will hope for the best.  Next up…the game we have all been waiting for…1 Louisville vs. 2 Duke for the final spot in the journey to the tourney’s final destination!

P.S. The winner of that game will take on the surprising team from Wichita State, a #9 seed!


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Murray wins in Miami

Posted on March 31, 2013 by admin

Andy Murray survived a tough three set match with David Ferrer on a very hot and windy day in Miami to win the Sony Open, 2 – 6, 6- 4, 7 -6 in a third set tie break.  Looked for a bit like Ferrer may become the first Spaniard to ever win this event.  Alas, it was not to be and Murray prevailed in the tie break.  Ferrer was suffering from leg cramps and getting treatment during the change overs, and Murray was not pleased.  Murray seemed to struggle physically as well, but Murray always seems to get a bit dour and limp around a bit so hard to tell how physically challenged he truly was.  Congrats to Murray on winning the Sony Open title.  Looking forward to Roger and Rafa returning to join the party.  For Roger, not until Madrid in preparation for the French Open.


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Kobe makes history, again!

Posted on March 31, 2013 by susan

Kobe Bryant made history once again last night as the Lakers defeated the Kings in Sacramento, 103 – 98.  With 7:55 remaining in the second period, Kobe hit one of his patented pull up jump shots and surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for fourth place on the list of NBA all time scoring leaders.  That shot put him at 31,421, passing Wilt at 31,419.  He trails only Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone (the Mailman!).  Bryant went on to finish with 19 points and 14 assists for the game.  Howard had 24 points and 14 rebounds and Gasol had 12 points and 10 assists.

Kobe is 34 and has been in the league for seventeen years, coming right out of high school.  He calls himself an “old 34” but this year Kobe has looked very much like a young 34, showing amazing spring in his legs in making jump shots and vintage Kobe of old dunks.  Will be interesting to see how much longer he plays, and how far up the all time scoring ladder he will climb.  For now, as Kobe said last night, he cares about a ring, a sixth ring, and the Lakers are really struggling to make the playoffs.  Stay tuned…seven more games to go!

Update: More bad news for the Lakers as Steve Nash left the game in the first period with a strained right hamstring.  He is listed as day to day.


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Two teams punch their ticket to Final Four

Posted on March 31, 2013 by admin

Two teams are headed to Atlanta for the Final Four next weekend, 4 Syracuse from the East Region and 9 Wichita State from the West.  Yes, you read it correctly, Wichita State is headed to the final four.  It is their first trip to the event since 1965.  They eliminated 2 Ohio State, 70 – 66 and never trailed in the game.  Very impressive performance.  Equally impressive was the smothering 3-2 zone defense by 3 Syracuse.  They held Marquette to a total of 39 points for the game, (39 point for the whole game!!) and 4 Syracuse is headed to Atlanta with a 55 – 39 victory.

Tomorrow, two more teams will join them to head to the Final Four, 2 Duke or 1 Louisville (Midwest Region) and 4 Michigan or 3 Florida (South Region).  Stay tuned…dancing continues!


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Happy Birthday to my grandson Connor, age 5!!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by susan

Connor is 5 years oldMe, and EllaMy adorable grandson, Connor, celebrated his 5th birthday today with a party at a putt putt golf party.  It was loads of fun.  My youngest daughter, Betsy and her beau, Jesse, and I hit the links.  I had a rough first hole but then “Stella got her groove” and I finished with a flurry.  Adorable pics for you all!  Aren’t they beautiful!  The beautiful Ella will be 2 years old in June!Jenny, Betsy and Ella


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