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

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!!!

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

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

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

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?

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

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."

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."

Check Out WDRV's Album Madness Brackets on My RoadDog's RoadLog Blog

I have been listing these on my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog since last week.  The Drive, 97.1 FM in Chicago started off with 64 classic albums, all of which you will probably recognize.

Even better, you can vote  for your favorites by going to their site.

They are now in the second round.

--RoadDog

Maybe I'll Have Him Do My Brackets Next Year

From the April 10, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Bracket winner, 12, rewarded, shows generosity" by Tim Froehlig.

The kid is just a sixth grader in Lake Zurich and his bracket for that NCAA Basketball tournament was tied for best out of 11.57 million turned in at ESPN.com (I won't say how I did).  He was too young to win the $20,000 Best Buy gift card or the trip to the 2015 Maui Invitational, but Best Buy gave him a $1,000 gift card anyway and he donated it back to the Make-A-Wish organization.

His name is Sam Holtz.  All that knowledge or luch at picking and then to do that.

What a Guy.  --RoadDog

The Drive's Final Four and Championship Classic Albums

FINAL FOUR

BEATLES --  Abbey Road
STYX--  Grand Illusion

BOSTON--  Boston
BEATLES--  Rubber Soul

CHAMPIONSHIP

BEATLES--  Abbey Road
BEATLES--  Rubber Soul

I voted for Rubber Soul.

--RoadDog

The Drive's Elite Eight Classic Album Bracket

Somehow, it is not surprising to see so many Beatles albums left.

BEACH BOYS--  Pet Sounds
BEATLES--  Abbey Road

STYX--  The Grand Illusion
BEATLES--  White Album

BOSTON--  Boston
BEATLES--  Sgt. Pepper's

CARS-  Cars
BEATLES--  Rubber Soul

--RoadDog

The Final Four Bracket According to Best Fight Songs

I went on You Tube just now and listened to the fight songs of the last four teams and have my own bracket to championship for them.

GAME ONE

Michigan State Fight Song
       vs.
Duke Blue Devil Fight Song

This was a close one, but I have to go with Michigan State

GAME TWO

On Wisconsin
     vs.
Kentucky Fight Song

Hands down, Wisconsin wins easily.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT SONG

On Wisconsin
      vs.
Michigan State Fight Song

Winner and Still Champion, NIU Fight Song.

Well, On Wisconsin since we are not there.

--RoadDog

The Drive's Sweet 16 Classic Rock Albums

Still Time to Vote as they are on the Elite 8 now.

TOM PETTY--    Damn the Torpedoes
BEACH BOYS--  Pet Sounds

ELTON JOHN--  Goodbye Yellowbrick Road
BEATLES--  Abbey Road

WHO--  Who's Next
STYX--  Grand Illusion

BEATLES--  White Album
JOURNEY--  Escape

WINGS--  Band on the Run
BOSTON--  Boston

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL--  Cosmo's Factory
BEATLES--  Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club

CARS--  Cars
DOORS--  Doors

BEATLES--  Rubber Soul
RUSH--   Moving Pictures

CCR sure has its work cut out for it.  I imagine they will be gone by the Elite Eight.

Sure Are a Lot of Beatle Albums.  --RoadDog


YOU MIGHT BE A YANKEE IF:  Instead of referring to two or more people as "y'all," you call them "you guys," even if both of them are women.

The Drive's Greatest Rock Album Bracket-- Part 3

* My vote.

LED ZEPPELIN--  Led Zeppelin
JIMI HENDRIX--  Are You Experienced*

WHO--  Who's Next
ROLLING STONES--  Let It Bleed*

DEF LEPPARD--  Pyromania
STYX--  The Grand Illusion*

EAGLES--  Hotel California
PETER FRAMPTON--  Frampton Comes Alive*

BEATLES--  White Album
U2--  Joshua Tree*

LED ZEPPELIN--  Led Zeppelin II*
ZZ TOP--  Eliminator

TOM PETTY--  Full Moon Fever*
PINK FLOYD--  Wish You Were Here

JOURNEY--  Escape
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN--  Born in the USA*

Born in the USA!!  Say It Loud!!  --RoadDog

The Drive's Greatest Rock Album Brackets-- Part 2

Still time for you to vote at ww.wdrv.com.

WINGS--   Band on the Run*
ERIC CLAPTON--  Slow Hand

JOURNEY--  Infinity*
AEROSMITH--  Toys in the Attic

BOSTON--  Boston*
BON JOVI--  Slippery When Wet

STEELY DAN--  Aja*
ROLLING STONES--  Sticky Fingers

FLEETWOOD MAC--  Rumours
REO SPEEDWAGON--  Hi-Infidelity*

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL--  Cosmo's Factory*
BOB DYLAN--  Highway 61 Revisited

DEREK & THE DOMINOS--  Layla
BEATLES--  Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band*

AC/DC--  Back in Black*
GUNS 'N ROSES--  Appetite for Destruction

Go CCR!!!  --RoadDog

YOU MIGHT BE A YANKEE IF:  If you'd rather vacation at Martha's Vineyard than Six Flags.

The Drive's Greatest Rock Album Brackets-- Part 1

In conjunction with the NCAA Tournament Brackets, Chicago's own WDRV 97.1 FM is having their own one for greatest rock album of all time and you can cast your own vote.  Go to the site at www.wdrv.com. for details.  *= my pick.

FIRST BRACKET

Rolling Stones--  Exile on Main Street
Doors--  L.A. Woman*

Tom Petty--  Damn the Torpedoes*
Rolling Stones--  Some Girls

Beach Boys--  Pet Sounds
Crosby Stills & Nash--  Crosby, Stills & Nash*

Pink Floyd--  The Wall
Bad Company--  Bad Company*

Elton John--  Goodbye Yellowbrick Road
Steve Miller Band--  Fly Like an Eagle*

Bruce Springsteen--  Born to Run*
Elton John--  Madman Across the Water

Led Zeppelin--  IV*
Def Leppard--  Hysteria

Beatles--  Abbey Road*
Pink Floyd--  Dark Side of the Moon

Who You Votin' For?  --RoadDog

NCAA Tournament Resumes

As we now enter the Sweet 16.

Regardless of which teams I like, what I look for in the tournament are close games and especially big upsets.

These were close games, upsets in the second round:

Cincinnati 66 OT Purdue 65
Notre Dame 69 Northeastern 65
Arkansas 56 Wofford 53
North Carolina 67 Harvard 65
Georgia State 57 Baylor 56
Ohio State 75 VCU 72
NC State 66 LSU 65
UCLA 60 SMU 59
UAB 60 Iowa State 59

ROUND THREE

Wichita State over Kansas
Wisconsin over Oregon
Oklahoma over Dayton

I read that of 11,500,000 Brackets submitted to ESPN, only 11 have all Sweet Sixteen teams.

I Don't Feel So Bad.  --RoadDog

Wow! NCAA Tournament: Could You Expect Less?

That first day, yesterday.  Wow!!!

I was able to watch most of it, something I didn't get to do while teaching, but can do now in retirement.  I saw some great b-ball.  Like they say, you never know in March Madness.  I counted nine of what I consider to be really close games.

An NCAA record five games were decided by just one point in one day.  I especially liked the two upsets where #14s Georgia State and UAB knocked off #3s Baylor and Iowa State.  I always pull for the underdog anyway.

I saw a headline that millions of brackets were busted in less than five hours yesterday.  Yahoo Sports says that the Iowa State upset by UAB knocked 96% out of the perfect brackets.  By 5:20 p.m., there were just 2,643 perfect brackets remaining of their 12 million +.

ESPN had 11,500,000 brackets and only 270 remain perfect today.

My picks?  I finally wised up.  No picks, no bets for me after all these years.  I'm just sittin' back and enjoying myself.

No Mad Jere.  Go georgia State!!  --RoadDog

Let the Fur Fly-- Part 2: The The Chicagoland Mascots

These are the mascots in the Chicago tribune poll.  You can vote at (www.chicagotribune.com.mascot)

LARGE MAMMAL BRACKET

1.  Benny the Bull (Bulls)
2.  Clark the Cub (Cubs)
3.  Staley (Bears)
4.  Da Bull (Bulls)

CANINE BRACKET

1.  Victor E. Huskie (NIU)
2.  LU Wolf (Loyola)
3.  Skates (Wolves)
4.  Sparky (Fire)

UFO BRACKET (Unclassified Furry Objects)

Southpaw (Sox)
2.  Dibs (DePaul)
3.  Roobarb (Sox)
4.  Ribbie (Sox)

FTF BARCKET (Flying Things and Felines)

1.  Tommy Hawk (Blackhawks)
2.  Willie the Wildcat (Northwestern)
3.  Sky Guy (Sky)
4.  Ozzie (Kane County Cougars)

I Voted According to My Favorite Teams, Of Course.  --RoadDog

Somebody Picked the Final Four!!! I Sure Didn't

From the March 29th USA Today.

Hard to believe, but of the 5.9 million NCAA College basketball tournament brackets filled out at ESPN Bracket Challenge, two people had ALL FOUR TEAMS CORRECT!!!

One of them was Joe Pearlman of East Brunswick, NJ. The article didn't mention the other one.

He said he is a Southern California football fan and when VCU beat USC in the First Four, he went with the bubble team. He liked UConn coming out of the Big East (and I thought all those teams would be better than they were) He said he liked Butler being in the championship last year. Nothing was said about his Kentucky pick.

hey, I at least knew VCU stood for Virginia Commonwealth, but didn't know where in Virginia it was.

Unfortunately for Joe, he had VCU beating Kentucky for the National Championship. Welcome to the club, Joe. Only, I was out after the Sweet Sixteen.

Of course, depending how the other person did, Joe still might win the $10,000 prize for best picks.

Go, Joe!! --RoadDog


WHY TEACHERS LOOK LIKE THAT:

Q. How can you keep milk from going sour.
A. Keep it in the cow.