Villanova v. Pitt: Good for College Basketball. Bad for my Bracket.

Just finished watching Villanova v. Pitt. What an exciting game! I'm still catching my breath.

'Nova took this one, and I should be upset about it, because my bracket is officially toast -- I had Pitt winning the Tournament. But I'm not upset at all. I'm thrilled, actually, because Villanova deserved to win this one -- they hustled, they played hard, and the number 3 seed beat its Big East rival/the number 1 seed in the region. Granted, things got a little sloppy near the end after Villanova realized that they just might win this thing. But what about Scottie Reynolds' buzzer beater at the end? Amazing. I live for upsets like that.

I suppose this is a little bittersweet -- the Pitt guys are crying (or look like they could, at least). I am sorry for them. But I'm a little more excited for Villanova.

Live from Miami

Hi from South Florida!  My brother and I have just returned from the last two games of the second round action in Miami.   It was an absolute blast.  We watched two really exciting games, after which the Syracuse Orangemen and the Arizona Wildcats each had earned a berth to the Sweet Sixteen.  

Here are a few highlights, courtesy of our hotel's wireless network (which works so much better than the wireless in my apartment back in New York -- that conveniently stopped working a few days before I left, leaving me without a reliable internet connection for the better part of the first week of March Madness...).

1.  The Syracuse guys really like each other, and they play like it:  During this afternoon's first game between Syracuse and Arizona State, it was really obvious that the Syracuse players like playing together and that they are very well-coached (love Jim Boeheim).  Even during the warm-ups, the players were very supportive of each other, focused and energized.  It was nice to see.

2.  University of Arizona fans are an organized, enthusiastic bunch.  The fans in the stands at Miami's American Airlines Arena knew most of the songs that the band played and many of the cheers that the cheerleading squad led -- and they were not afraid to display their loyalty (to everyone).

3.  Speaking of the University of Arizona band, there was a female band member -- a clarinet player sitting very close to my brother and me -- who was, by far, the most enthusiastic college band member that I have ever seen in my entire life with the highest pitched voice that I have ever heard in my entire life.  It was impossible to miss her (or her voice), even with all the action on the court.   My brother and I were pulling for the Cleveland State Vikings (I can never resist pulling for the underdog), but her display of team spirit was so infectiously over the top that even I had to smile and cheer when the Wildcats won.

That's it for now.  I'll upload pictures to the blog soon (yes, that means that I finally recovered my digital camera!).  Then I need to rest!  It's been a long (and incredibly fun) day.

Tournament Opener

I cannot believe that I made it home in time to catch the first game in this year's NCAA Tournament. In just a few minutes, #16 Alabama State will face off against #16 Morehead State to earn the right to play this year's all-around #1 team, Louisville. Yeah, it's a "win tonight/lose on Friday when you have to play Louisville" situation. But who cares?! I'm still stoked for tonight. I've got my eyes on the Alabama State Hornets.

Let the Madness Begin!

Image: espn.com (it's actually legible there)

It's finally here! The field has been narrowed to 65 teams, and this week the Madness begins. I almost forgot how much I love this time of year. It looks like my brother and I will get to catch Syracuse (of "six overtimes" fame) in Miami next Sunday -- provided that they beat Stephen F. Austin State University on Friday. Here's hoping.

(P.S. Florida State lost to Duke, but no biggie -- they made it to the Tournament, and they'll be heading to Boise, Idaho to play a first round game against Wisconsin later this week.)