My Final Four picks…with some help from our President

Posted on March 20, 2013 by susan

OK guys, here it is!  As promised, my NCAA Final Four picks.  I have to admit, I struggled with this and had to get some help from watching our President, Barack Obama, give his picks so I could get some perspective.  I really wanted to put an ACC team through to the final four, being a GT fan, but at the end of the day, probably not going to happen.  Here is my Final Four:

Louisville, Gonzaga, Michigan, and Indiana.  Semifinal – Louisville vs. Indiana and the NCAA Champion…Indiana!

Now, I do have Duke facing off against Louisville in the Midwest but I do not see Duke prevailing, still can never completely count out the Dukies and Coach K.  Also, in the East, Miami against Indiana in the round of eight with Indian prevailing.  OK, there you have it , what do you guys think?  Have you got your bracket set?


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No Kobe, no victory for Lakers

Posted on March 19, 2013 by admin

The LA Lakers playing without the services of star Kobe Bryant fell to the Sacramento Kings on the road last night, 99 – 76.  Not a good performance by the Lakers who only trailed at the half, 47 – 44.  The Kings ran away with the game in the second half and the Lakers need Kobe back to continue their run to make the playoffs.  Steve Nash led the Lakers with 19 points.

In Boston, LeBron James scored 37 points, one being a monster dunk, and the other being the go ahead shot with 10 seconds remaining to lead Miami over the Celtics (playing without Kevin Garnett), 105 – 103.  This extends the Heat’s winning streak to 23 games.  The longest winning streak in NBA history is held by the 1971 -72 LA Lakers (of course!) at 33.

OK, got to get to it and fill out my NCAA Bracket.  Will hopefully be able to give you guys my pick for the Final Four, semifinals and eventual tournament champion tomorrow!  Stay tuned…


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Kobe Bryant to miss tonight’s game

Posted on March 18, 2013 by admin

That ankle sprain must be really bad!  Kobe Bryant is going to miss the Lakers game tonight against the Suns due to his ankle sprain and lingering flu symptoms,  It has to be really bad for Kobe Bryant to not play.  Inspite of Kobe being out of last night’s lineup, the Lakers managed a victory over the Sacramento Kings.  The Lakers are currently in the 8th playoff spot, with a one game lead.  Pau Gasol is expected back in early April, but he got some bad news when he experienced pain in his injured right foot while practicing prior to last evening’s game at the Lakers workout facility.  Still gotta think that Kobe will be back in action very soon, Gasol will return and the Lakers will make the playoffs.


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Redfoo, LMFAO rapper enters US Open Playoffs

Posted on March 18, 2013 by admin

Redfoo, lead singer of rap band LMFAO (you know, There’s a party in the house tonight, everybody’s gonna have a good time!) has entered the US Open national playoffs, hoping to earn a berth in the US Open, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.  Gotta love it!  He is also rumored to be the boyfriend of world #2 tennis player Victoria Azarenka.  Redfoo has long been a tennis affectionate, he played at the amateur level, designed a tennis clothing line, has a tennis camp and of course attends many tennis events to support his girlfriend, Azarenka.  Here’s hoping he makes history and gets a berth into this Grand Slam event.  Have to love anyone who could come up with the song “Party in the House Tonight”!


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Rafa takes Paribas Open title

Posted on March 17, 2013 by susan

Welcome back to hardcourt tennis Rafael Nadal!  Rafa defeated Juan Martin del Potro today, 4 – 6, 6 – 4, 6 -3 to take his first hardcourt title in over a year.  Rafa looks to be in fine form but he will skip the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami next week (Roger Federer will be absent as well).  Del Potro was on a roll, defeating Andy Murray in the quarters and Novak Djokovic in the semis but Nadal was just too much in the second and third set as the big Argentine began to tire.  The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the temperature was around 92 degrees.  Earlier, in the women’s final, Sharapova defeated Wozniacki, 6 – 2, 6 -2 to win her first title since the French Open last May.


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Let’s Dance!

Posted on March 17, 2013 by admin

The NCAA Basketball Tournament seeds are out!  The #1 overall seed is Louisville, #1 in the Midwest Region.  #2 Duke should be a factor in that regional along with Michigan State.

South Region –  #1 Kansas with Georgetown #2 and Florida #3.

East Region –  # Indiana with #2 Miami, #3 Marquette and #4 Syracuse.

West Region – #1 Gonzaga, #2 Ohio State, #3 New Mexico and #4 Kansas State.

OK, let’s all go to ESPN and do this annual rite of passage, fill out your bracket!  I will reveal my picks for the final four, semifinal and the champion later in the week!


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Final Four is such a special event

Posted on March 17, 2013 by susan

The NCAA Final Four is one of the most special events in all of sports.  I had the opportunity to go the Final Four in 1990 at the old McNichols Arena in Denver, CO.  I was there to cheer on the Georgia Tech squad which boasted “Lethal Weapon 3”, Dennis Scott, Brian Oliver and Kenny Anderson.  Other three teams were Duke, Arkansas and UNLV.  Georgia Tech lost to UNLV in the semifinals that Saturday and UNLV went on to win the Championship that year.  It was an awesome environment and really cool to see the four participating schools’ fans decked out in the different sections around the arena.

When watching on TV, one of my favorite moments is after the title game, the singing of “One Shining Moment” with the montage of tournament highlights.   Really a special time, if you get a chance to attend one, go for it!

 

 


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Couple more conference tourney champs

Posted on March 17, 2013 by admin

Miami won it’s first ever ACC Tournament title defeating North Carolina, 87 – 77 (third time Miami had beaten the Tar Heels this season).  Miami still not projected as #1 seed for the tourney by the experts…more on that news later.  Florida was upset by Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament final, 66 – 63.  Big Ten title game just underway, Wisconsin and Ohio State.  Update: Final – Ohio State 50 – Wisconsin 43.


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Journey to the Tourney is here!

Posted on March 17, 2013 by susan

Alright, conference championship games were played yesterday and several more will play out today.  In last night’s action Pac – 12 Conference final saw Oregon over UCLA 78 – 69.  Big East final, Louisville likely secured a #1 seed with a victory over Syracuse, 78 – 61.  Big 12 title went to Kansas, defeating Kansas State, 70 – 54.

Today will feature the ACC Championship between Miami and North Carolina (no Duke?), SEC title between Florida and Ole Miss, the Big Ten title game between Wisconsin and Ohio State.

Projected top seeds in the Big Tourney are currently, Indiana, Gonzaga, Louisville, and Duke with Kansas mentioned as possible #1 bumping Duke to a #2 seed.

It is almost time, let the March Madness begin!


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Tennis upset in the desert – Del Potro over Djokovic

Posted on March 16, 2013 by admin

It is not an easy task to beat world no. 1 Novak Djokovic, but Juan Martin del Potro pulled off the big upset just a while ago advancing in three sets, 4 – 6, 6 -4, 6- 4.  It was 96 degrees when the match got under way and by the 9th game in the third set, del Potro was on fire.  Huge win for the Argentine who famously upset Roger Federer to claim the US Open title in 2009 and then was out a year with a serious wrist injury.  Del Potro will meet Rafael Nadal tomorrow in the final.  Nadal defeated Berdych, 6 – 4, 7 -5 in the earlier semifinal.

In the women’s final, Caroline Wozniacki (Rory Mcilroy’s girlfriend) will take on Maria Sharapova.


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