Tag: NCAA

NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 7 10/19-22-23/ 2023

  Browns: Beat Colts after 4 BAD calls on Colts really late in the game 1.Apparently a forward shovel pass is now ruled a lateral pass and is not subject to the usual  fumble rule or interception rule.  2. A pass that is out of the back of the end zone is catchable pass.  3.  According to the Refs if on a TD drive if you get the Ball to the white goal line but not over it is a TD.  This one I don’t know the rule.  4. If your hand slides ever so slightly on the receiver with out causing any alteration to the receivers stride or anything THAT is now PASS INTERFERNCE!!!  Football is not football any more.  Give me the times when players like Dick Butkus was playing.   I remember him saying,  “I don’t want to hurt anybody.  I just want to see their heads rolling down the field”  Whether that was in jest or not I do not know. But that is the way he played.  NO!  Football isn’t football any more. Seems to me NFL football is rapidly becoming more of a “Flag Football game.”  Seems their exhuberance to make the game more safe.  Has degutted the game.  I am getting to dislike the game more each week.  It is getting closer to the times of the NBA strike.  In order to attract an audience they chose people like Michael Jordan, (a good player),  SEEM, to be exceptional by allowing him to break all the rules.  And allowing an “iNDEFENDABLE SHOT” .  There is an extended line above the goal in which if your hand enters it is “GOAL TENDING”,   NOW  it is legal for the offensive player to enter this area to “DUNK” a ball and score.  HOWEVER if a defenders hand is in that extended circle. It is called as “GOAL TENDING’  and the offensive team is awarded 2 points whether it goes in or not.  Like I said there is no way to defend against it.  Considering many of today’s players can touch the rim without even jumping.   I fail to see the excitement in watching this act.  When the game began the average player was about 5 ft 8 in.  Putting the rim over 4 ft above their head.  Sure you had some players taller.  But if capable of “dunking” , they didn’t  because that would be GOAL TENDING.   I think it is way past time to raise the goal, by the same amount as the average player of today.  12 foot goals, I think are both unreasonable.   While on the subject.  Many rules need to be enforced.  Nearly all players “palm the ball today, and then the announcers talk about how much control the players have while dribbling.   Of course you can control the ball better when you can carry the ball.  Basketball used to be a “NON CONTACT SPORT”.  Now you have more contact than is allowed in FOOTBALL.  The MLB is just as guilty after the big STRIKE.  (which is when I quit watching MLB.  I used to watch the CUBS play everyday, (before the lights), and the Braves every night.  But to get the crowd back they “unofficially’ sanctioned the use of PED (Performance Enhancing  Drugs), To produce super sluggers chasing Maris’ season home run record.  The only reason was to entice people to watch the game.  I have watched 1, one game of MLB since then.  That was because my Cubs were playing my son’s Braves and it was a birthday present. Now College basketball is a professional game.  Not only do the athletes get a “FREE EDUCATION’ I and most students today PAY  for.  The Athlete gets endorsements too.  If they are very good it could make them a millionaire before they graduate.  I remember the story of a “a student athlete basketball player in the movie HOOSIERS, lost his elgibility for ACTING as a basketball player in the movie.  Bah !! Humbug!! to professional and college sports.    I still like Australian football and Rugby.  But do not get to see that often.  I enjoy Rally Car Racing,  which is really hard to find on TV.  NOW I enjoy watching the little ones play.  They play, have fun.  Go home.  I have to admit there are some bad coaches, players with attitude, and some of the umpires who have no idea what the rules are.  Of course there are different rules according to what area you are in.  I have no problem with this as long as the rules are applied equally. O.L.Thymer agrees.  He said it is more fun watching his great grandchildren play.  He will travel nearly 100 miles one way, sometimes 1 day, sometimes 2 days, sometimes 3 days (for the travel team games), to watch them play,  other days they may play as close as 30 miles away each way.   Believe  me.  I’ve seen him do this 2-3 weeks in a row.  But now that he is having a little more trouble driving at night he may leave before a game is finished. RANT OVER.  For now. SORRY for turning this Football based talk into non football opinions.  But the idea behind starting fromthemiddleblog.com was to air my opinions.  And maybe what I said here should have been a separate post.   But I think it is all tied in.   COLTS: Owner, Jim Irsay states, QB Anthony Richardson will “probably” miss rest of season, (a damaged AC joint to his shoulder), after last Sunday’s game against Titans. He will be undergoing surgery. For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT).  The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game.  EXAMPLE:  Say this week we have 16 games.  The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you… Continue reading NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 7 10/19-22-23/ 2023

NCAA March Madness 2018

VILLANOVA 2018 NCAA CHAMPIONS. MICHIGAN    62          VILLANOVA  79  Notre Dame 61-58 over Mississippi State with a buzzer beating 3 pointer. 17 years after Notre Dames last National Championship…  NOTRE DAME 2018 NCAA Women’s CHAMIONSHIP !!! This gives the state of Indiana bragging rights.  Having teams win both NCAA and NIT Women Championships. IF Michigan can pull off the Win tomorrow night the Big Ten will have both NCAA Mens and Mens NIT Championship.  And a combined Men and women 3 National Champions in one year.  WE CAN ONLY WAIT AND SEE.  (I have no idea when OR if that has ever happened. Indiana Hoosier Women WIN WNIT 65-57  over  Virginia Tech Hokies Big 1o looking strong.  with two NIT Championships under their belt this year.    WILL Michigan be able to add the NCAA Championship to this list? Penn St Nittany Lions defeats Utah Utes 82-67.   WE ALL WAITED FOR IT .  AFTER ALL THESE YEARS A NUMBER 16 SEED UPSET A NUMBER 1.  NOT JUST ANY NUMBER 1.  THE OVERALL NUMBER  1 SEED.  AND BY 20 POINTS.  UMBC  UPSET VIRGINIA.  HOW ABOUT A BIG HAND FOR UMBC.  Can they go on and be a true “CINDERELLA” Team.  If they continue to play like they did today.  A real possibility. Alas the dream came to an end.  However, it may signal a new era of  parity in this Modern Era of  college basketball.  Seems we were treated, in the past few years with more 15 Seeds upsetting 2 seeds.  Now a 16 upsetting a 1 seed.   We will just have to wait and see, what the future brings. I can’t help wondering if anyone has a perfect bracket.  With only 2 number 1 seeds left; and 2 number 2 seeds left.  On the SOUTH bracket, we see highest seeds of  5 (Kentucky), and 7th seeded Nevada.  Remaining. The WEST  has a number 3 seed, (Michigan), and a number 4 seed (Gonzaga), yet on a possible quest to the FINAL FOUR.   The Right side, EAST, and MIDWEST, (for the most part), has pretty much remained intact, both with number 1 and number 2 seeds still in play. WELCOME TO OUR 2018 MARCH MADNESS.  I am not sure How many years we have been doing this.  I will have to look it up. (Pre-Blog days  Has been online since 1992) Warren Buffett has once again offered $1 million dollars for life to any of his employees who gets the final 16 correct.(there’s a 1 in 1.24X1064 chance of accurately predicting all 16 teams. ) Not everyone will go home empty-handed, though. Whichever employee’s bracket makes it the furthest in the tournament will win $100,000.  I wonder if anyone still has a chance to win it; NOW. This is where you can print your “OFFICE POOL” Bracket, Check the scores, etc. I will have A “MASTER BRACKET”,  “WHAT IF YOU CHOSE THE HIGH PICKS”  for each game.  An “UPSET BRACKET”  (if the favored team wins it will be in Green, if it is an upset it will be listed in RED”.  And, Yes I will have “MY PICKS” so you can compare your picks to mine. (And Laugh or Cry)  What is a seed?  Merely a starting place.  Although unlikely, IT is possible for two 16 seeds to meet in the final game.  Would lets say Michigan St  were to be seeded as a number 16.  They would still have  to win all games to be CHAMPION !    SEEDING attempts to give a more favored team an easier path to the CHAMPIONSHIP.  Seeding should lead to  the best 2 teams playing in the final game.  However there  is always that upset minded team;  or  the chance that the favored team has a bad game, a stand out player is sick or injured. Selection Sunday will be Sunday March 11, 2018.  At 6pm.  You can watch the Selections Live on TBS.  Something different this year.  ALL 68 teams will be announced at the beginning.  Teams will know if they are in or out before the seeding announcements. The First Four, (play in games), will be played March 13 and 14. On TRU tv.  All games will be played in Dayton Ohio.  Two games March 13. Two games March 14.   Time is to be determined later. To  print BRACKET:  HOVER OVER SHEET.  You will see a window at bottom with an arrow pointing down (second from right).  Click this button.  It will open a new window with the bracket then click the printer icon or go to file,  and PRINT.  Will only print in black and White. TO Enlarge each sheet: Hover over and select the square on the far bottom RIGHT. I think my sentimental favorite, right now has to First Time Ever entry the “BISONS” of LIPSCOMB ! I must say I am very disappointed, by the Selection Committee’s decision.  Placing Conference Champions in a play in position, while seeding others (with questionable credentials), in the set field. All Times Atlantic Standard Time (or for the uneducated EDT) MASTER BRACKET ALL HIGH PICKS   UPSETS MY PICKS   Post Views: 85

2017 NFL PLAY OFF BRACKET

    OAKLAND RAIDERS SIGN COACH JACK  DEL RIO TO 4 YEAR DEAL.                                                                                      Atlanta Falcons trying  to lure Alabama Offenive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian to replace Kyle Shanahan.   ATLANTA FALCON OFFENNSIVE COORDINATOR KYLE SHANAHAN INKS CONTRACT TO COACH THE SAN FRANCISCO 49’ERS  A thrilling end to A game that in retrospect was really 2 games.  The first game featured the ATLANTA FALCONS.  THE SECOND FEATURED the PATRIOTS of NEW ENGLAND.                                                                                                                                                                                                     THE HALF TIME SHOW WAS THE BEST IN MANY YEARS The BIGGEST LOSER was BUDWEISER. The tribute to SPUDS was a nice idea.  BUT IT WAS BY FAR THE WORST STAGED COMMERCIAL OF ALL.  If they paid anything more than $100.oo for it they overpaid.  let alone the cost to air it.  The smart thing, (Since they couidn’t do a decent tribute to SPUDS), What he heck!  They should have had the CLYDESDALES.  Anyway you look at it.  The CLYDESDALES were a staple to promoting BUDWEISER.  As for me NO BUD PRODUCTS until I SEE THE CLYDESDALES in next years SUPER BOWL ADS! !!! Tom Brady named Super Bowl LI. MVP Belichik FIRST Coach to win 5 Super Bowls PATRIOTS NOW 5 OF 7 SUPER BOWLS PATRIOTS WIN. BRADY FIRST QB TO WIN 5 SUPER BOWLS FIRST SUPER BOWL OT Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan named MVP.  Ryan is the FIRST FALCON TO RECIEVE THIS AWARD Dallas Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett named Coach of the Year Atlanta Falcon QB Matt Ryan named Offensive Player of the year. Oaland Raider Defensive End; Khalil Mack named Defensive Player of the year San Diego Charger Joey Bosa named Defensive Rookie of the year Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, named ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. Congratulations to the young QB My Pick for Super Bowl Champion does not reflect my personal feelings.  just the numbers.  The Patriots have won enough.  It would be nice for the Falcons to Win a Super Bowl.  personally I will most likely just take peeks at the game.  I DEFINITELY will not watch the Half Time Show.  There have been too many DUDs, of the past few years for me to waste my time there. (I will look for the Clydesdales though) BUT I wish the best of luck to both team,  (maybe a little  more for the underdog) Hope you all enjoy the game.  JUST IN:  POPULAR INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PUNTER PAT McAFFE ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM FOOTBALL AT AGE 29.  HE WAS DUE $6 MILLION DOLLARS IN WHAT WAS TO BE HIS FINAL 2 CONTRACT SEASONS.  HE WILL JOIN THE SATIRICAL  WEBSITE BARSTOOLS.  HIS CAPACITY THERE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.  McAFEE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMING ON THE COMEDY CIRCUIT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.                                                                                                                                                                                           FOX Sports NFL broadcaster, JOHN LYNCH named San Francisco 49’ers new GM.   To sign a 6 year contract. Chris Ballard to be new Indianapolis Colts GM.  Ballard comes over from Kansas City Chiefs organization, where he served as Director of Football Operations NCAA MARCH MADNESS:  As I understand it now; plan to announce the  top four seeds in the tournament in each of the 4  Regions. as they stand on FEBRUARY 11,2017. (Saturday 12:30 pm on CBS).  But things could change between then and Tournament time.  MARCH 12 SEEDINGS.  Sounds like a hype job for the  Tournament. OAKLAND RAIDERS HAVE OFFICIALLY FILED TO MOVE TO LAS VEGAS How about that folks.  Just shows, I knew there was going to be an upset this weekend.  (Sadly it wasn’t the one I picked..So i suppose I can claim 3 missed upsets). No I didn’t  take Atlanta Falcons and went against the numbers and really thought Seattle Seahawks would pull off the UPSET. NOTICE……..STEELERS @ CHIEFS GAME MOVED TO 20:20.     DUE TO PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS TO HIRE FORMER BUFFALO BILLS HEAD COACH ANTHONY  LYNN Buffalo Bills choose Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator Sean MxDermont, to lead the next season as head coach AND THE COACHING MERRY GO ROUND CONTINUES Denver Broncos made a surprise move by hiring Miami Dolhins Defensive Co-ordinator VANCE JOSEPH to be replace Gary Kubiak at the helm.  The end of an era.  San Diego Chargers will be no more.  It us going to be hard to say LOS ANGELES CHARGERS. Just as I had a hard time when Los Angeles Rams moved to St. Louis; and St. Louis Cardinals, became the Arizona Cardinals.  BUT I DO HAVE TO WONDER HOW MANY FOOTBALL TEAMS CAN 1 city support? I know some of you old tumers will say, THEY ARE JUST MOVING BACK HOME. The Chargers began in Los Angeles in 1960, (I think that was their first year),  BUT, they… Continue reading 2017 NFL PLAY OFF BRACKET

NCAA 2015 MARCH MADNESS

  NCAA MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT. Right now it appears that Kentucky will receive the overall number one seed.  Which guarantees them the easiest path to the final four. Here is where I make many of you mad.  Might just as well get it out of the way right now.  After careful consideration I predict KENTUCKY will be the first NUMBER ONE seed out.   Kentucky is a good team and appears as of now they will go undefeated in regular season.    But if you look at their schedule…..WHO have they played.  A few teams that may be in the Tournament.   But looking at their overall schedule,  it has been pretty much of a soft schedule.  In  other years it could have been a tough schedule.  But this year,  well it was a disappointment.  All teams have these years….maybe.  But it may work out for them.  While they have pretty much coasting, and other teams have been going toe to toe.   They may be the most rested team entering the Tournament. Is it possible for a team with a losing record be in the BIG DANCE?  Just ask MEAC Tournament Champion Hampton Pirates.   With a 16-17 record.  The answer is yes.   Can they wear the Glass Slipper? What is a seed?  Merely a starting place.  Although unlikely, IT is possible for two 16 seeds to meet in the final game.  Would lets say Kentucky were to be seeded as a number 16.  They would still have  to win all games to be CHAMPION ! OKAY.  so I was wrong Villanova was first number 1 out.  So That makes Kentucky 2nd Number 1 seed out. I called it right the second time!!  Kentucky was the second number 1 out.  They did play well.  But their weak regular season schedule did not prepare them for the stronger teams.  It took a last second desperation shot to overcome Notre Dame.  But Wisconsin’s tough season made them ready.   The behavior of the Kentucky “FANS” back in Kentucky I am sure did not reflect the feelings of the Wildcat Coaches and Players.  However their acts do reflect back to them, the University, and The STATE.  I still do not understand this type of childish behavior.  It does not change the outcome of the game.  Maybe “TOO Much ALCOHOL”  is an excuse.  But that would be all it was.  NOT A REASON!  Kentucky did make it a lot farther than I expected.  Hats off to Kentucky Team for not quitting.  Maybe next year (for a change) they will return with experienced players, and not have to rely on Freshmen.  Here is to next year Kentucky. Season is over.   Congratulations to DUKE.  It is hard to say one bad call changes the outcome of a game.  However a couple of bad calls and NO CALLS.  Can alter a game.  In what I saw was DUKE get more than their share the last 3 minutes of the game.  I saw them commit charges that were mis -called BLOCKS.  I saw Duke throw up there forearms to clear space.  I really think the REFS let the game get out of control.  Of course You can make the excuse that they were letting the teams play.   HOWEVER,  the Most Questionable Non Call was with about 2 minutes +/-.   It was plenty obvious the Ball went out last touched by DUKE’s Winslow I think.  I am not really good with names.   But no one can say for sure if that really made a big difference,  DOWN by 5.  It would have given the BADGERS a chance to score and cut the lead by 2 or 3, (if they scored).   This could have changed the momentum, or not.  Who can say? But it is over no going back.   I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT UNLIKE KENTUCKY,  I SAW NO BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF EITHER TEAMS FANS.  (hope I’m not speaking too soon).   But Hats off to them for showing maturity.   Well THAT IS HOW I SEE IT. Check back for other articles throughout the year.  Maybe  some Public Service Announcements, or who knows what may strike my fancy.   Maybe a few sports articles.  but I Just have not been able to get into baseball since the strike which brought about the PED thing when they  allowed Mark McGuire to hit those home runs to generate interest in the game.  Just like the NBA let MJ get by with making his own rules to create interest in their arena.  I can’t really call them sports any more.  But will be back with our usual Football coverage.  ACTUAL / RESULTS http://fromthemiddleblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Brackett-Actual.pdf ALL-High-Picks. http://fromthemiddleblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Bracket-ALL-High-Picks1.pdf UPSETS http://fromthemiddleblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Brackett-Upsets1.pdf MY PICKS http://fromthemiddleblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-MM-Brackett-My-Picks.pdf Post Views: 84

The Final Four

APRIL 9, 2013 We have come to the conclusion of this year’s  installment of  MARCH MADNESS.  The new Champion is  LOUISVILLE!  From what I could tell from the bits and pieces i was able wake up and catch it seemed to be a truly good competition.   Michigan started out strong.  Then Louisville made their charge.  Nip and tuck til the end.  The game could have gone anyway.  But it was Michigan which found itself on the short end in the closing minutes.  Which meant they were forced to foul to extend the game.  As happens in this situation, more often than not,  The team trying to catch up gets beat,  and that is what happened here. Per my definition of  being beat or losing.  I see no loser here.  I see a strong team that got    BEAT.  NO LOSERS.   We should have also learned a valuable lesson.  Kevin Ware,  who proved during the season to be a star player for the Cardinals was unfortunately injured during tournament play, could only supply moral support to his team most of the tournament games.  The players rallyed around his injury.  But as good as Kevin Ware is,  the team from Louisville proved they were not a one man team.  Many teams would have been lost without a player of his caliber.  But they showed that they could all, every player, be a key member to the team. When I was  coaching I always told the boys ‘Be ready.  We have no set starting team.  It depends on the team we are playing, what skills are needed.  Each player has a different set of skills”.  As a player I preferred not to start.  As this took pressure off me.  (Everyone expects more out of starters than subs).  I usually sat for the first minute.  Then finished the game.    Great tournament,  many upsets, and the overalll number one seed emerges the victor. Although not as bad as many the celebrating fans tarnished the schools win with their irresponsible after game behavior.  That is all I have to say about this.  See your newspapers for details.  If they dare to put the story in without whitewashing it. PROGRAM NOTE: APRIL 8,2013 As Much as we would love to see the game tonight.  We will be unable to BECAUSE of the lateness of the start time.  You see we live in the Central Time Zone.  However our illustrious state leadership has decided in its INFINITE wisdom we must observe ATLANTIC TIME,   They call it Daylight Saving Time.  But there is just so much daylight in a 24 hour day.  So no one has been able to save any.    Putting us TWO hours ahead of the sun.   So The game should be on  at 7 pm instead of 10 pm.    So to all of you lucky people who get to see the game ENJOY.  4 am comes pretty early when you are two hours ahead of  the sun.   UPDATE APRIL 7, 2013 And then there were TWO.  LOUISVILLE, and  MICHIGAN. The stage is set..I am looking for a close game.  One that will keep all fans on the edge of their seats.  As you know I have said Michigan will be the new NCAA Basketball Champion.  Good Luck to both teams. I must hope that the end of this game and season is not marred by in inappropriate action by the ones who consider themselves fan, yet take away from the the pride of their teams by rioting and tearing things up.  Both teams deserve better.  These outlaw demonstrations SUBTRACT. from the dignity of the respected teams.  REJOICE IN THEIR FEATS. UPDATE: We nearly had another upset.  A well played game by both Witchita St. and Louisville. Now we must see if Michigan can overcome the Syracuse Press. Usually I give a lot of trivia here but this year I won’t.  Suffice it to say this has been one heck of a tournament.  So many upsets.  Made a tournament season worthy of watching.  I Still stand by my original conviction that all four final teams should have come from the Big Ten.  Regardless of what my old NEMESIS  Sir Charles thinks. (which was always a little far out).  The Big Ten had its best shot at an ALL FINAL FOUR shootout.  Only team that really let me down was WISCONSIN.  They truly had the best shot bur as noted they also have the spells of non-concentration, of which they fell victim.  Did they get beat by a better team?  NO!  They LOST because they did not give their all.  As I have said before and will say again.  You only get BEAT if you give it all you have and  and still end up on the short end of the score.  But you LOSE if you don’t leave it all on the court.  Granted somedays you may not have as much to give as other days.  But Wisconsin just completely melted down.  I really don’t feel they respected their opponent.  ENOUGH. Locally I find we have one person who had 4 of  the final 8.  And believe it or not has 2 of the final four.  Some of you may have done better.  I don’t see how. As much as I would like to see another upset.  Odds are really against it so as it stands I see Louisville Vs Michigan in the final game with MICHIGAN the Champions. Both teams are really good. But it will come to MENTAL and PHYSICAL Toughness.   I think both team are pretty equal in the MENTAL toughness…. But Physical toughness?  Again you have to go back to their conferences.  Big Ten definitely the most physical Conference in the country.  Michigan has proved they have this PHYSICAL toughness throughout the Big Ten season.  Scale tips to Michigan. RESULTS FAVORITES MY PICKS WHY? Because….  I really don’t know.  Just a glutton for punishment, I guess Post Views: 95

NCAA MARCH MADNESS BEGINS

Will Duke upset Louisville?  Will there be no number one seeds in the final four?  Although I am not a Duke fan.  and I don’t have a favorite in this game,  I kind of would like to see the UPSET. Well I said I look forward to UPSETS (except in my bracketss).   But how about this  16 UPSETS 3 number 1’s and 3 number 2’s.  This has to be one heck of a bracket busting season.  I wonder, if any of you have a perfect bracket now.  The least Busted brasket appears to be the Midewest.   Let the games begin: Yes folks it is here, and again this year I will be posting a RESULTS BRACKET ,  IF FAVORED TEAMS WIN, and MY PICKS. Check here to see how the the teams advance, If the favored teams win, and if you can out pick me. GOOD LUCK !   MAY YOUR TEAM WIN ! I am looking forward to many upsets.  (I love seeing brackets turned upside down). RESULTS BRACKET FAVORED BRACKET I think we now have 16 upsets.  Including 3 number 1 seeds and 3 number 2 seeds.   How is your bracket looking. MY PICKS YES !! I know I have an improbable FINAL FOUR. But remember I said earlier I thought these teams would have won ANY CONFERENCE they may have been in.  Thus I have this FINAL FOUR. However let me say this ALL have had Multi-minute  scoring lapses.  So anything can happen.  Any of these teams could be CHAMPION. WISCONSIN should have had enough of these through out the season they will not fall into that slump again.  (Although they may fall asleep during the game just as they did during the Purdue LOSS.  I am hoping they have matured since that game, and that will not happen again). WISCONSIN Looked like the same team that showed up that played Purdue earlier.  Very DOWN. What can I say..YOU HAVE TO BRING YOUR GAME.  Everytime you set foot on the floor.  PRACTICE included. Post Views: 94

It Is MARCH MADNESS TIME

Finally it is  MARCH MADNESS!!!!!.  Who will be the Number One team this year? Who will be the CINDERELLA team? Could this be the year a 16 seed upsets a number 1 seed? Who will be the most upset minded team? Could we see a one Conference final game. Maybe even a one Conference FINAL FOUR. Will SOMEONE Come Up with a PERFECT PICK SHEET. WOW!   Lots of possibilities waiting for us. Maybe your favorite School Will WIN First we have to have our 68 teams. So Knowing you can’t account for the NCAA’s  Comittee, THEY have an altogether sometimes strange reasoning for their picks.  One thing I really don’t like is this. The committee has decided to add 4 teams they would not have included in the original 64.    They may take one of these teams to play into a 12 seed spot.   They may have 2 of these teams play into the same  SET OF 16.  The way I see it they should have these teams play in by having them play the 16 seeds.  That way you have one play in, in each block of 16.   But; Going out on a limb. I have selected these 68 teams to play in the NCAA Tournament of 2013.  In Alphabetical Order. [table]1st 16, 2nd 16,3rd 16,4th 16 1. Akron,  18. Hampton,  35. Memphis,52. St. Mary’s 2. Arizona, 19. Harvard,  36.  Miami,53. San Diego St. 3. Belmont,  20. Illinois,  37. Michigan. ,54. S. Dakota 4. Boise St,  21. Indiana,  38. Michigan St.  ,55. Southern 5. Bucknell,  22  Iona,  39. Minnesota.  ,56.  Stephen  F. Austen 6  Butler,  23. Iowa St. ,  40. Missouri.  .,57.  Syracuse 7. California,  24. James Madison.,41.Montana ,58.  Temple 8. Cincinnati,  25 Kansas,  42. New Mexico  ,59. Tennessee 9. Colorado,  26. Kansas St,  43. N.Carolina,60.  UCLA 10. Colorado St.,  27.  Kentucky,  44. N. Carolina St.,61. UNLV 11. Creighton,  28 LaSalle,  45.  Notre Dame,62. Valparaiso 12. Davidson,  29.  Liberty,   46. Ohio St.,63. Va. Commonwealth 13. Duke,  30.  Long Beach St.,  47. Oklahoma, 64. Vermont 14.  Florida, 31LIU Brooklyn., 48. Oklahoma St., 65.   Villanova 15. Florida Gulf Coast,  32.  Louisiana Tech.,  49.  Oregon,66. W. Kentucky 16. Georgetown,  33.  Louisville,  50.Pittbursgh , 67. Witchita St. 17.Gonzaga,34. Marquette,51.  St. Louis,68.  Wisconsin [/table] Now my Picks for Number one seeds.  (which will not happen due to the NCAA’s need to spread the wealth).  The most deserving (as I see it)  Indiana, Michigan St., Michigan, and Gonzaga. I Know a lot of you will wonder why I have 3 teams from the Big Ten.  Simply because,  The strength of the Big 10 this year.  I think if any of these teams were in ANY other conference they would have been the number one team. That is the way I see it. Join me for our annual Picks un-contest  SEE if you can beat me.  I once again will have my picks using the upper ranked team, my personal picks, and the actual finishes. Post Views: 95

2013 Academy Awards Winners: My Reaction

As a rule I see the ACADEMY AWARDS as merely a way to promote the worst pictures. That has been the way it has been since the 1970’s.  Occasionally they slip up and give a legitimate award.  I tend to agree with Woody Allen, when he said something like, and here I paraphrase,(only because I can’t remember the direct quote).  You can not judge art.  No one really can.  The things I might consider art another may consider junk.  One would have to be able to completely divorce himself from all preconceived ideas.  Open mindedness is a hard state to find.  I have none of the preconceptions.  I know what I like. I know what I don’t like.  But I am able to put aside my feelings and make a pure judgement.  Granted I may sometimes judge things by the cover.  By that in regard to movies.  I will some times read the plot and make a decision on whether or not it interests me.  Some really interest me, and I may see them and be truly disappointed.  Others I will say, “Okay I won’t pay to see this.  I will wait for the TV or DVD release and see if any of my friends bought it.”  Sometimes the plot just reads so thin. I don’t even think of seeing them.  So here are my reactions to this years awards.  I will rank them as I feel they should have been.  Exception if I think another Picture, or Person more deserving that is where I will Place them.  Actual winners will be in green.with a note if I did not see them and/or did not care to see them. BEST PICTURE: ARGO:   Linxoln:  Saw this one.  Gave Argo a close run. Amour.  Saw this in the French version.  Loved the story line. Django Unchained:  Saw this. Lots of action.  Just was pretty much unbelievable. The rest were tied. Life of Pi: Considered this but decided would wait for DVD. Silver Linings: Same as above. Beasts of The Southern Wild, Zero Dark Thirty. Did not see. Can’t imagine how they got on list.  Should not even make it to DVD. Les Miserables.  Did not see.  Cannot even imagine this great work as a musical. BEST ACTOR: bradley cooper silver linings.  hugh jackman les miserables, joaquin phoenix the master.  denzel washington,flight. None of these truly deserved Best Actor.  I saw much better portrayals in other movies.  However of the list they gave us I would have to vote for Daniel-Day=Lewis. Of  the listed he probably was most deserving. BEST ACTRESS: Nominees were jessica chastain, zero dark thirty:  JENNIFER LAWRENCE, silver linings:  EMMANUEL  RIVA, Amour.  naomi watts, the impossible: quvenzhane wallis, beasts of the southern wild. It was my feeling the only true deserving winner for this category would have been EMMANUEL RIVA for AMOUR. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: NOMINEES WERE: alan arkin, argo: robert de niro, silver linings playbook, philip seymour hoffman, the master: tommy lee jones. lincoln: and CHRISOPH WALTZ, django unchained.  Of these I found none deserving.  There were many better performances too many other movies to mention here. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: This category I  find my choice for BEST ACTRESS, as I did not see her as a supporting actress but as the STAR.  So I suppose because I see her as BEST ACTRESS she had to be the outstanding BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS.  That person being HELEN HUNT. Of THE SESSIONS, However the other nominees,  why they got the nod Is way beyond any thinking I may be capable of seeing. them here.  Nominees were.  amy adams, the master; Sally Field (who would have been my second choice), Lincoln;  ANNE HATHAWAY., (who had to have a lot of nerve, just to take the role on).  and jacki weaver, silver linings playbook.’ BEST DIRECTOR; This one is a tough call.  You may have an excellent movie but  poor direction, or great direction with a poor movie. That being said Nominees are: Michael Haneke, Amour ANG LEE, Life Of Pi David O. Russel , Silver Linings Playbook Steven Spielberg , Lincoln Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild Like I said I have no input on this category. BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY. Again I have seen screeplays I liked better so I must yield to the nominated ones. Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom, (did not see, never even heard of this one). Mark Boat, Zero Dark Thirty John Gstins, Flight (again I never even heard of this movie ). Michael Heneke, Amour, (I felt it was not directed to it’s potential). QUENTIN TARATINO, Django Unchained. (which in my humble opinion the direction left a lot to be desired). BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: This is another category, I do not have the knowledge to call.  as I have not read the books (i assume the adaption came from).  so Nominees are: Lucy Alibar and Beth Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild. Tony Kushner, Lincoln David Magee, Life of Pi. David O Russell, Silver Linings Playbook CHRIS TERRIO, Argo Probably a good choice, BEST ANIMATED FEATURE BRAVE: Again I have no seen only one of these,  BRAVE,  The only one I am waiting for DVD is Wreck-It-Ralph. Nominees were: BRAVE:  Which I have to agree with this choice. Frankenweenie ParaNorman The Pirates! Band of Misfits (which I will see on DVD) Wreck-It-Ralph The technical categories I will not go into.  because I am unaware of what goes into these categories.  I understand the success of many movies can rely on these services, so I will only list the winners. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY LIFE OF PI, Claudio Miranda BEST COSTUME DESIGN: ANNA KARENINA, jacqueline Durran BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Nominees were, 5 Broken Cameras,  The Gatekeepers, How to Survive a Plague, The Invisible War, and SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN,  (although I did not see this I at least heard of it. BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: INNOCENTE, Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine. Other nominees were Kings Point, San gilman and Jedd Wider:  Mondays at Racine, Cynthia wade and Robert… Continue reading 2013 Academy Awards Winners: My Reaction

Baltimore Ravens Win !!!

Perhaps the L-O-N-G-E-S-T  Super Bowl game in History. BALTIMORE’S RAVENS  bested the SAN FRANCISCO FORTY-NINER’S by a score of 34-31. Last night Championship was extended by a power outage.  I have read some say it was an external feed,  and another report that it was snafu inside the arena; an equipment failure.  Either way the side line announcers had the burden of filling in unexpected time. Another thing that made it seem longer to me was the half baked,…er time show.  I know many of you are Beyonce fans.  But I would like to have more entertainment than a bunch of women in their swimsuits jumping around and making noise.  I actually switched over to watch bits of a COLUMBO re-run. Now to the game.  Yes my Math and my Scientific methods both failed.  Therefore I could claim the Ravens win to be a fluke.  But that was not the case.  In fact it came down to, (as I said),  D-E-F-E-N-S-E. Baltimore brought their defense and San Francisco’s was running way late on it’s arrival.  I believe both QB’s did an excellent job.  I also believe had San Francisco got their defense together before the power failure.  They would have won the game.  But they didn’t, and they didn’t. The game hinged on the 108 yard return by Ravens’ Jacoby Jones.  There is no way that return should have happened.  The 49’ers defense left the whole field unprotected.  No one stayed back.  Just as in a high school game I watched this past season.  The kicker rushed down and tackled the receiver 5 yards after the catch.  But that was a mistake.  Even though he was able to do that.  His coach wasted no time in letting him know it was a mistake.  The rest of the season he stayed back and saved many potential scores. Flacco was GIFTED the MVP.  Yeah, he did a good job.  WAS it a better job than Kaepernick.  Not in my eyes.  The true MVP   was the Ravens DEFENSE.  But how do you give MVP, (the “P” is singular) to a group.  Thus you give it to a single person.  Jacoby Jones would be a fair choice, it was his run back that won the game.  But that was only one play.  The DEFENSE on the other hand was on thier game most all night. So I suppose as the QB is often considered the leader an Spokesman for the team, Flacco would be give MVP, on behalf of the team.  After all ,  as in any T-E-A-M SPORT,  one person can not win the game by himself. Congratulations to the BALTIMORE RAVENS.  And I want to compliment fans on both sides.  I have not seen any reports of rioting or anything.  This shows me their fans are (both Baltimore, and San Francisco),  are CHAMPIONS too. Hope to see you NFL fans back here again next year.  I have time to try to figure what I did wrong this year. I suppose the next big event is  NASCAR SEASON. and for some the NBA All-Star game.  I  don’t care for the All-Star game.  Because they don’t really have any BASKETBALL stars.  Merely Media Darlings.  I will go into my feelings about the NBA  at a later time. I may have opinions to share about NASCAR later. Looking forward to NCAA Basketball tournament.  will give my picks, updates and OPINION; just like i did last year. For now We close the book on: 2012 FOOTBALL,and the 2013 SUPER BOWL XLVII. One final note some of the commercials were good.  Some not.  But at least some got more exposure due to the 34 minute delay.  My favorite was, again Budweiser, with the CLYDESDALE COLT. Thank you for indulging me.     Post Views: 79