NCAA Tournaments Are Over

By far, my favorite part of the sporting year.  And this year's edition did not disappoint. We had some upsets and a lot of close games.  As usual, I pulled mostly for the Little Guys even if they were playing favorite Big Guys teams of mine.

And, this year, I was even paying attention to the women's games more because, of course, of the Kaitlyn Clark hoopla.  Sure enjoyed the University of Iowa women's games.  Hopefully all this will carry over to the future college womens games and the WNBA.

I do think CBS made a major mistake in only offering the Final Four mens games on cable stations TBS and TNT.  They should have been on CBS.  And, even worse, the championship game last Monday came on at 9:15 pm in the Eastern Time Zone.  Another mistake.

I was pulling for Iowa to win in the womens tournament and Purdue in the mens.  However, it was not to be.  Both Iowa and Purdue gave good games in the first half, but were destroyed in the second half.  UConn and South Carolina were just too good.

Congratulations to UConn and South Carolina.

--RoadDog

Tournament Time: CB&C and B-Ball

MARCH 21--  THURSDAY

I should mention that I got my third corned beef and cabbage dinner at the Fox Lake (Illinois) seniors luncheon earlier and were entertained by an Irish performer.  Good Irish food and entertainment.  

I am also glad now that we have complete choice as to what games we see since they are all shown from beginning to end on four different channels:  CBS, TBS, TNT and True TV.  That used to drive me crazy when we had to watch Duke blowing out some #15 or #16 team when we could see that there was a close one or upset in the offing on another channel.

With me, it is all about close games and upsets.

And, I still remember when they experimented with the triple screen (they showed three games at once).  That made it impossible to figure out what was going on.

Highlight of the day was Kentucky getting upset by  Oakland. Oakland?  Had to look it up.  It  is in Michigan.  I am not a fan of Kentucky in any way.  It was one of the original one-and-doner schools.  Then, I ended up staying awake until nearly midnight when Samford took Kansas down to the wire in what would also have been a major upset.  They lost by four.  I am a Kansas fan, but Samford is a major Little Guy school.

By the way, Samford is in Alabama.

--RoadB-Ball

Tournament Time Is Here!! Whoopee!!

MARCH 21--  THURSDAY

Well, we are upon my favorite sporting event of the year, the NCAA Road to the Final Four and National Basketball Championship.  And it arrived today (well, other than the four play-in games).  

This is a time I pull for the Little Guys vs. the Big Guys, even if the Big Guy is one of my favorites like Duke, UNC or Kansas.  For me, it's all about the upsets and especially Cinderella stories.  I remember when Gonzaga made that deep run which sent everyone to maps looking to find the location of Gonzaga.

I also like to see a high seed upset a low seed.

And, every year we get a lot of upsets and close games.  I am no fan of blowouts, even when it is one of my teams doing it to someone.  I especially liked it the last years when a #16 beat a #1.  Now that is just plain fun.

And, it is here.

I went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and watched the game with my buddy Rich who knows aa while lot about college basketball.  I then came home and continued watching games in Margaritaville while enjoying my Ultimate 300-disc Juke Box.

--RoadB-Ball

No Foolin': Johnny's Cafe, Fox Lake American Legion, 3 Aces, Old Friends, NCAA Tournament, Stucky's, McHenry American Legion

FRIDAY,   APRIL 1, 2022

We met Kevin and Kelly at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake and had a great egg plant parmesan with angel hair spaghetti.  e then went to the American Legion in Fox Lake for 50-50.  Kelly and Kevin won for the second week in a row.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of one of my favorite comic strips, Pickles."  I can sure relate to Earl.  I guess it has to do with an age thing.

Met Glen and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion at 3 in the afternoon and we enjoyed one of our favorite bands, 3 Aces.  Because of the you-know-what, we hadn't seen them in over two years.  They play great oldies music.  Where else you going to get a band on an April Saturday afternoon with $2 drafts?

We also hadn't seen Barb and Glen since November as they live in Chicago, but have a place on the Chain o' Lakes.

An old buddy, Rick, came in and we had a nice talk about the old days.  I hadn't seen him since before the you-know-what hit as well.

Afterwards, we went to Stucky's and had the $1 draft special and watched the NCAA Elite 8 games.  Both, sadly, were blowouts.  Boring.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

We went to the McHenry American Legion and then to Stucky's on the way home.

--RoadDog

Ending March: No Sliders for Me, Boring Elite 8, Stucky's, Cullom Knoll and Legion

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

I then drove over to White Castle to buy some Sliders, but there must have been 12 cars in line at the drive-thru.  I tried the front door, but it was still locked.  Come on guys, you can open up now.  So, no Sliders for me.

Disappointed, I got back in the car and drove home, stopping along the way at the new Popeye's in McHenry and bought the shrimp box which was quite good (but not Sliders).

We went to Stucky's and enjoyed the $1 pints and watched two very boring games in the Elite 8.  I guess we got spoiled in the NCAA Tournament up to now with all those upsets and close games.  Those Sweet Sixteen ones Thursday and Friday were eight of the best-ever Tournament games.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 27

We went to Cullom Knoll in McCullom Lake near McHenry for their $6 pizza special and $6 pitchers.  Then checked out the newly redone inside of the McHenry American Legion before going to Stucky's on the way home for the NASCAR party.  I actually was watching the NASCAR race more than the NCAA Tournament games as they were again blowouts.

Here's hoping that the Final Four will be better than the Elite 8.

--RoadDog

Ending March: NCAA Tournament, Fish Fry, Legion, St. Peter's Wins

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

How could the Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament games be any better.  Of the four games yesterday and four today, I counted seven close games and three major upsets, including two #1s knocked off!!  Looking forward to the Elite 8 games now.

Met Kevin and Kelly at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their AUCE fish fry ($10.99) and then went to the Fox Lake American Legion.  Watched the NCAA games at both places.  Big crowd at the Legion watching and pulling for St. Peter's (#15) in their game against Purdue (#3).  Even though I am a Big 10, 11,12, 13, 14 fan (except Michigan and Ohio State and the two newest teams Maryland and Rutgers) I was pulling for St. Peter's.  I always pull for underdogs against any team.

And, St. Peters won a close one 67-64.

Attendance at the Friday 50-50 is climbing again after a big drop off back before the virus hit.

--RoadDog

The Second St. Patrick's Weekend: That Great Tournament!! Margaritaville, Ultimate Jukebox, CB&C, Stucky's and the PLAV

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

Yesterday was a great day for college basketball, especially with that St. Peter's (#15) upset of Kentucky (#2).  I had to loon up to find it where this college was.  It turns out to be in Jersey City, New Jersey, two miles from New York City. I don't like Kentucky at all.  

Anyway, it was just one upset or close game after another on Friday.  That's the way I like my NCAA Tournament games.  We didn't even go anywhere.  I just enjoyed my Margaritaville Bar in the basement.  I've got a fully stocked refrigerator, a TV in the corner of the bar and the Ultimate Jukebox (300 discs).

Why go anywhere else?

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

Again, saw a bunch of games in Margaritaville before going to Stucky's in Johnsburg where we had the corned beef & cabbage (cb&c) dinners.  I sure wish we had cb&c dinners more often during the year besides just around this time.

Now, a perfect cb&c bite consists of equal parts corned beef and cabbage, heavily peppered and with a dash of horseradish and/or mustard.  But, I hate when I run out of corned beef or cabbage before the other.  Not cool man.

Had a great time watching the tournament games and singing karaoke.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20

We were hoping to check out the newly remodeled McHenry American Legion, but there were too many cars parked outside it.  So ended up at the Polish Legion of American Veterans around the corner and had a great time as we know a lot of people there as well.

Afterwards, we found Stucky's was closed so went home and watched some more great Tournament games at Margaritaville.

--RoadDog

The Real St. Patrick's Day-- Part 2: Blogs, Irish Music, Stucky's, Shepherd's Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Jim Seig and MargaritaO'ville

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Like I said in an earlier post, this St. Patrick's Day was a whole lot more fun than the one in 2020.

Listened to CDs by Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.  Irish music with an edge as you might guess with names like that.  Listened to that great You Tube mix of Irish Drinking Songs.  

Posted to all blogs.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Stucky's in Johnsburg for our St. Patrick's Day meal.  Kevin and Liz had the corned beef & cabbage while Kelly and I had the shepherd's pie.  I don't remember ever having shepherd's pie before and it is excellent.

We had a discussion as to where shepherd's pie came from.  I kind of thought it was from England, but Kelly said it was from Ireland.  I looked it up later and she was right.

Lots of green being worn for some reason and Krystal was quite an eyeful.  Watched some more of the NCAA on TV.  More great games.  Jim Seig and his band performed as they do every Thursday at Stucky's.  We've been listening to him for at least 30 years.  Great time.

Came home and watched more NCAA Tournament in Margaritaville, our basement bar.

Quite warm for this time of the year.  Made it even nicer, especially after how cold it was last weekend.

A Touch O' the Irish.  --RoadPie

Even Greener Day-Before St. Patrick's Day: 1983, Irish Party Music, Donovan's Coronavirus Anniversary and Da Tournament

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16

Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV was on the year 1983.  A great year for music and my deejay business.  Ten great songs, but my pick was "I Want a New Drug" by Huey Lewis & the News.  I tuned in to You Tube and searched "Party Music: Irish Drinking Songs" and man was that a taste of the old country.  Give it a listen.  Kicks off with "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphys.  Now, if that doesn't get you in the mood for green beer, Irish whisky or corned beef & cabbage, nothing will.  Well worth a listen.

We met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  We remembered it was two years ago tomorrow, St. Patrick's Day 2020 that the you-know-what closed down Wisconsin.  And, we were in Donovan's when it closed.  

Came home and watched the First Four NCAA Tournament game between Notre Dame and Rutgers.  And, what a game!!   Double overtime!!  Is this an indication of a good time forthcoming?

I didn't even pick a bracket for myself.  It is pretty much impossible to do with all the upsets.  

--RoadO'Dog

JSS: Tired of Da Snoop Dogg-- Tired of Da Gambling Spots-- Not Tired of Da Tournament

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  TIRED OF DA SNOOP DOGG--

I think this guy is on TV pitching something every commercial break these days.  Kind of reminds me of the bad old days when you couldn't avoid Michael or Mike.  (Michael Jordan and Mike Ditka)

2.  TIRED OF DA GAMBLING SPOTS--

And man, are there commercials to get you into the clutches of gambling.

3.  NOT TIRED OF DA TOURNAMENT--

But, the NCAA Basketball Tournament has sure not failed to live up to its hype.  By my rough count e have had 26 games I consider great games.  I mean, real close.  Also, there have been 11 upsets.  Especially that win by St. Peter's over Kentucky.  

I don't know about you, but I sure had to look up and see where St. Peter's was (in New Jersey a few miles from New York City) much like I had to do Gonzaga in the early days of their dominance.

And, We Start the Sweet Sixteen Today!!!  

Please, Give Us A Break from the Dogg.  --RoadTourn

How About That UCLA-Gonzaga Game Saturday!!! Wow!!

Like they said, it just doesn't get any better than this.  MAN!!!  What a game!!!

Regardless of who won.  

And, I had Gonzaga going all the way and it is from a Group of Five conference which means the lower echelon when compared to that snooty Power Five group.  And, UCLA is a member of a Power Five conference.

Normally, I would have been pulling all the way for Gonzaga.  But the road that UCLA had to go, having to play into the tournament with the Front Round and then those two games the previous weekend against Alabama (and that one, Wow!), a #2 and then a #1 in Michigan.

But, nothing prepared me for Saturday.  Talk about two great teams.  And, I found myself in the strange position of pulling for one of the Big Guys.  UCLA.

Back and forth, back and forth.  Usually the difference in scores was one or two points.  And then overtime and that shot at the buzzer from almost half court that went in to secure the win for Gonzaga.

This is why the basketball tournament is my favorite sporting event of all.

Man, Just Too Much!!  --RoadBall

NCAA Basketball Tournament Sure Hasn't Disappointed

I sure missed it last year.  This is by far my favorite of any pro or college playoffs.  One and Done, you know, if you don't win.  It's all out.

In the first two rounds I pull for every Little Guy versus Big Guy team and all the Underdogs.  I sure enjoyed the runs by Oral Roberts (which sent everyone to their smart phones to find out where this school was), Abilene Christian, Ohio and Loyola.

And how about perennial powerhouses Michigan State and UCLA having to play in.  Even better, those two One and Done player schools Kentucky and Duke not making the playoffs at all.  Loved it.

Anyway, I would normally be pulling for Gonzaga tonight as they are Little Guys not in a Power 5 conference, but you've got give UCLA credit, man those were great games, especially the Alabama one.

So, I'll have to see who I will pull for in that game.

--RoadDog

The Tribune's Final Four and National Champion in NCAA Basketball Tournament, My Final Four and Champion

From the April 5, 2020, Chicago Tribune.

Kansas beat Florida State to go to the National Championship Game.

Michigan State beat Seton Hall

and, the National Champion is...

KANSAS!!!

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My Final Four and National Champion.

Kansas beat Dayton

Michigan State beat Gonzaga

NATIONAL CHAMPION

MICHIGAN STATE!!!!!

Kelly would be so proud of me.

--RoadDog

NCAA Final Four, 2020 Tournament (And You Thought You Weren't Going to Get It This Year

Two weekends, they would have played the 4 games to break the Elite 8 down to the Final Four.

The Tribune's picks:

MIDWEST WINNER

#1  Kansas

EAST  WINNER

#2  Florida State

*************************

WEST WINNER

#3  Seton Hall

SOUTH WINNER

#3  Michigan State

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These are particularly hard as I like all four teams.  If I go with Little Guys, I'd pull for Dayton and Gonzaga.  If I go with the Big Guys, it would be Kansas and Michigan State.

Decisions, decisions.

MY FINAL FOUR

*************************

MIDWEST WINNER

#1  Kansas

EAST WINNER

#1  Dayton

***********************

WEST WINNER

#1  Gonzaga

SOUTH WINNER

#3  Michigan State

I'll split the difference.

At least Kentucky is not in there.  I have never liked Kentucky.  And now, I also would have been pulling against UNC and Duke, two teams I've always liked in the Big Guys.  But Duke now is one of those one-and-done schools (like Kentucky) where they get all new starters every year.  I don't like UNC because of what they did to the Silent Sam statue.

So, who would your Final Four be?

--B-BallDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  To the tune of Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways to
Leave Your Lover":

"Sneeze Into Your Sleeve, Steve
To Keep Virus Free."

Tonight Would Have Been the NCAA Basketball Championship Game. So, Who Woulda Won?

From the April 5, 2020, Chicago Tribune.

The newspaper had what most likely would have been the 64 teams who made the tournament earlier, based on an expert's picks.  And, then they had the Sweet Sixteen and Elite 8.

As far as my brackets, I am glad to say that I haven't missed a single pick yet.  But, by the same token, I haven't picked any correct either.  About as good as I usually do, anyway.

But, here are their Elite 8 picks:

MIDWEST

#1  Kansas
#2  Kentucky

EAST

#1  Dayton
#2  Florida State

******************************

WEST

#1  Gonzaga
#3  Seton Hall

SOUTH

#1  Baylor
#3  Michigan State

So, What Are Your Final Four Picks?

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Mine are Kansas vs Dayton and Gonzaga vs. Michigan State.

*******************************

Who needs No Stinkin' Tournament?  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V."   My wife came across this on FaceBook.  Somebody did a great job on these.  To the tune of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon.

"Don't Hop On the Bus, Gus."
"Stay Away From the Pack, Jack."

And, there are more.

--RoadDog

Here Are My Sweet 16 Picks for the 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament: All the Lil' Dudes (Not Young)

Since it didn't happen and I can't lose any money, I can go through and pick the actual teams I'd like to see make it to the Sweet Sixteen and beyond.  That means all underdogs and Little Guys.  Of course, it goes without saying, every #16 beat every #1.  I would be all smiles if that happened.

So, here we go:

MIDWEST

16  Siena
13  North Texas

14  Belmont
15  North Dakota State

***********************

EAST

16  Robert Morris
13  Akron

14   Hofstra
15  Northern Kentucky

**********************

WEST

16  N.C. Central
12  Yale

14  East Washington
15  UC Irvine

*********************

SOUTH

16  Winthrop
13  Vermont

14   Bradley
15  Little Rock

I'd have to look up some of these to find out where they are.  Remember Gonzaga?  What?  Where?

This Would Sure be One Fun Tournament With the Big Guys All Gone.  Just Little Dudes, You Know.  RoadFun

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "Can't wait for this coronovirus thing to blow over so I can stop washing my hands  again."

How I Pull for NCAA Basketball Tournament Teams

Regardless of my picks, I always pull for the Little Guys in the games.  Like Siena vs. Kansas or Stephen F. Austin vs. Ohio State.  This regardless of whether or not I like the Big Guy team.

As far as Big Guy teams, in the past my big two teams were North Carolina and Duke.  However, North Carolina  students pulled down the Silent Sam Confederate statue a couple years ago, plus they are getting a lot of the one-and-done freshmen players.  That is the same with Duke.

I also liked Virginia a lot, but not now since its town Charlottesville is so intent on pulling down its Confederate statues.

Of course, I have never liked Kentucky, Ohio State or Michigan in the Big Guys.

Go Little Guys.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V.":  "Dance like nobody's watching. Wash your hands like everybody is."

Hey, Here's Your NCAA Basketball Brackets-- Part 2

Today we would be in the Elite 8 with two games to determine the first two entrants into the Final Four.

*********************

WEST

1.  Gonzaga
16  N.C. Central

8  LSU
9  Oklahoma

5  Michigan
12  Yale

4  Oregon
13  New Mexico State

6  BYU
11  Indiana

3  Seton Hall
14  East Washington

7  Arizona
10  Texas Tech

2  San Diego State
15  UC Irvine

*************************

SOUTH

1  Baylor
16  Winthrop

8  Saint Mary's
9  Rutgers

5  Ohio State
12  Stephen F. Austin

4  Louisville
13  Vermont

6 Virginia
11  Cincinnati

3  Michigan State
14  Bradley

7  Illinois
10  USC

2  Creighton
15  Little Rock

Make Those Picks.  --RoadPick

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V."--  Your grand were called to war.   You're being called to sit on your couch.  You can do this."

Hey, Here's Your NCAA Brackets-- Part 1: Sweet Sixteen

This was in the March 22, 2020, Chicago Tribune under "Fantasy basketball" by Shannon Ryan.

These are thanks to ESPN's Joe Lanardi who projects the bracket throughout every season.  So this is very likely what it would have looked like.

And, remember, had the tournament been on this year, we would have been in the Sweet Sixteen games.

MIDWEST

1  Kansas
16  Siena

8  Houston
9  Marquette

5  Auburn
12  Liberty

4  Wisconsin
13  North Texas

6  Iowa
11  East Tennessee State

3  Duke
14  Belmont

7  Providence
10  Arizona State

2  Kentucky
15  North Dakota State

EAST

1.  Dayton
16  Robert Morris

8  Colorado
9  Florida

5  Butler
12  Texas

4  Maryland
13  Akron

6  Penn State
11  UCLA

3  Villanova
14  Hofstra

2  Florida State
15  Northern Kentucky

Make Your Picks!!  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE V:  "This quarantine is affecting everyone in the workforce, but it especially sucks for men.  We are losing a dollar for every 79 cents women are losing."

Old Friends, the Legion, a Band and Some Bodacious NCAA Games

APRIL 6, SATURDAY

I was able to get out in the yard to burn the huge number of limbs and trees that were either dropped by winter storms or cut down by Jerry, but those pine limbs are just too fresh to burn well, so did not have much success.

Liz and I went to the Fox  Lake American Legion at 3 pm, and met Glen and Barb and enjoyed listening to the three-piece band, the Neil Rose Band, playing 60s music.  Sure enjoyed their playing "Don't Bogart That Joint" song which I have never heard a band do live before.  That was a great song from that even greater "Easy Rider" soundtrack.

Watched some of the greatest college basketball games ever in the NCAA Elite 8.  Texas Tech defeated #1 Seed Gonzaga 75-69 and Virginia beat Purdue 80-75.

Sports just doesn't get much better than this.

--RoadDog

EGGCELLENT EASTER JOKES:  Q:  What do you call an egg from outer space?   A:  An "Egg-stra terrestrial."