March Madness 2012

One of the great days in American sports; The Final 4, semifinal doubleheader w/2 GREAT matchups.

The head games between Pitino and Calipari have been going on all week. These two have history and little of it is good. Jump probably can't adequately describe in words what's going on in Kentucky this week revolving around the UK-Louisville rivalry. A couple of 70 year old men got in a fight at a dialysis center over it. Big Blue nation is gripping at the thought of losing to UL. Jump, were you able to swing a trip to New Orleans for 'work'?? If so, put down the Hurricanes and beignets and give us a report. Kentucky is the superior team and I'm going to pick them here, but would not be surprised in the least if the Cards pull off the upset.

Ohio State and Kansas is an excellent matchup. Both of these teams are really well coached. They played in Lawrence earlier this year, with the Jayhawks winning, BUT Sullinger did not play. I'll take Ohio State with Aaron Craft (one of the best perimeter defenders in the country) slowing KU's Tyshawn Taylor down.

So there it is Kentucky-Ohio State in the FInal, so if you're near Vegas quickly put money down on Louisville-Kansas :shock:

 

Kentucky was just too much for Louisville, and have to like them to cut down the nets on Monday night.

Kansas with a ton of heart to not only come back, but to actually get over the hump and take down Ohio State by 2 points. They will need to shoot the ball lights out for a chance in the Final.

 

I think Kansas matches up better with Kentucky than Ohio St, but I doubt they can derail the Cats from this title.

 

Tough loss for the Buckeyes especially since they were so dominant in the 1st half. Probably would have lost to Kentucky anyway though.

Should be an entertaining final but I cant see Kansas stopping Kentucky.

 

Nice work Joe! Congrats on the win! I fizzled out at the end once the Buckeyes lost.

Kansas gave Kentucky a game at the end up the Wildcats really seemed to be on another level.

 

Congrats Joe.

 

First things first...congrats for winning. I watch a fair amount of hoops, and I think it gets harder every year to pick 'em.

I did indeed make it to the festivities in NOLA in a professional capacity...as usual, too busy to defecate or wind my wristwatch, but managed some fun in between the shoots, edits and oh-dark-thirty live shots.

I realized after the UK-U of L semi something that should have been obvious much sooner than it was...Indiana and Vanderbilt GOT LUCKY. This team was as dominant as the '78 champs, and should have run the table. The primary difference between this team and that one was...FUN! This team had FUN while annihilating their competitors. Great group of young men to be around, too, with their basketball skills the extra, added bonus, the icing on a very big, tasty cake.

Was really surprised that the Bucks did not get past Kansas. MIGHT have made for a more interesting final, but I just don't know. As Paul Hornung used to say on the old Sunday morning, shrunk to 1 hour Notre Dame football replays, "they were not to be denied."

Got a KILLER, head on tight shot of MOP snipping his portion of the nets, scooped up a big handful of confetti from the center circle to share with friends, relatives and co-workers.

AND, did indeed to find time for A (singular, one) Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's, a beignet at Cafe du Monde (courtesy of one of our loyal viewers) and THREE visit's to Drago's for something I don't normally partake of...oysters. This particular treatment involved a wonderful seasoning of garlic, some type of finely grated cheese (similar to parmesan, only better) on half shell oysters CHARBROILED ON AN OPEN FLAME GRILL! Easily the best gastronimic delight of the trip.

Aside from the usual speed bumps inherent on these endeavors, it was largely successful AND enjoyable. And it never hurts when one of the teams you regularly cover and root for wins the whole shooting match. Will attempt to post some pics here, if I can figure out the technical land mines (uh, Heather, help, please?)!

It's gonna be a while before the collective Big Blue Hangover wears off......going back to bed for some shut eye...oh, and glad we got the result v. Norwich. That'll help a lot right now. GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for sharing Jump, what a great trip. My wife surprised me for birthday w/a last minute drive to Vegas for the Final. Agree that Ohio State would have provided a better challenge, but will credit KU with the will to climb back into the game. However, Kentucky was the most talented team coming in to the tourney, and wasn't going to be denied.