14dabucs's Blog

So I'm doing stuff at the NCAA Regionals. 

Notes from today:

• There sure are some stale pretzels floating around the Edward Jones Dome.

• Writers never fail to amaze me.  On one hand, they craft amazing stories and columns in the wierdest places and in the most unique ways.  On the other hand, as soon as the FREE stale pretzels are tucked away for the evening, they seem to scatter.  Coincidence? 
  

I'll be interested to see how things go tomorrow as today was, literally, a practice run. My bracket is shot ( My Elite Eight was Maryland, Miami, SIU, Duke, Texas, Georgetown, THE Ohio State University and Creighton) and my nerves are shot after the OSU/Tenn tilt. 

GOO BUCKEYES!

Well, I had a huge post all typed up with highlights from each game and behind the scenes at the MVC Tourney, but then I lost my internet connection and lost the whole thing, which sucked.  Anyway, rather than be bummed, I'll focus on some of the highlights this year.

• The Valley is blowing up big time.  Attendance records were shattered and I think 85,000+ were in attendance, with Saturday and Sunday sessions sold out and upper level tickets going for an unconfirmed $150 and up.  That made for an awesome atmosphere with SIU and Missouri State fans going crazy.  Lots of fun to see the tournament enjoyed by so many.
• Mid-major?  Not so much.  Nearly every game in the conference was decided by three points or less.  There was some great basketball being played at Scottrade.  Heck, even the usually one-and-done Drake Bulldogs put on a great show with an OT victory.  The wins were hard-fought and entertaining.  The Valley has great teams nearly top to bottom and this weekend proved it.
• Missouri State can't win for losing.  After a heartbreaking loss Saturday, I think Missouri State's chances for a tournament bid are over.  On the other side of it, the decision makers might take the strength of the conference into account and rectify the mistake they made last year of not inviting Missouri State to the big dance, but I have a feeling things don't quite work that way.
• The bubble.  Creighton is definitely in after their final victory (about the only upset in the whole tournament as the four teams seeded 1-4 all ended up making the semifinals, which does not happen often).  SIU may be seeded a tad lower after Sunday's game, but they are still in.  However, it is anybody's guess on whether or not Missouri State (who played a lot like SIU did today) and Bradley will get invites.  Methinks it comes down to one or the other and the Valley has three representatives in the NCAA tournament.
• Maurice Drummond is one of the happiest people I have ever met.  I saw Mo up in the pressbox enjoying a quick bite to eat before he ran somewhere else.  He was one of the most gracious folks I've come across in a long time.  I don't think any of us here have any idea how hard he and the other folks at Fox work to bring us the latest and greatest news.  I got tired just listening to his schedule.  Somebody give that man a raise and some time to blog!

Back when I was a kid, my dream was to live in Georgetown, drive a Beemer, write for USAToday and jog every afternoon on the Mall.

Later, my focus shifted to sports. I loved the tradition of places like Yankee Stadium and Lambeau Field. A Monday Night game, the playoffs, a basketball game at Phog Allen Field House.

I fell into radio as a board operator and then alter a technical director (glorified board op). Next, I fell ass-backwards into producing. I found my calling. I loved it. Pressure to book guests every day. Working at building relationships with teams and schools, sitting in on press conferences. I loved it. I worked my phone 18 hours a day for a pittance. My host was a flat-out jerk. I didn't care. Then the station folded and went to Christian Rock format.

I was lost, but threw myself into school. Then I started interning in a Sports Information department at a small college. There was still pressure, plenty of action, deadlines and what I considered fun. Now, I REALLY found what I wanted to do. I was a spinner, NOT a spinee. When I moved to St. Louis to get married and continue my schooling, I was lucky enough to be allowed to volunteer with the MVC. A great group of people that run things tournaments flawlessly.

WARNING!  This topic is slightly polarizing.  Proceed at your own risk.

Has anyone heard about this?  The guy made ridiculous, hateful comments, was given the chance to back off, but then only dug the hole deeper.  What's that all about?  What is with people doing things lately and thinking there will be no repercussions?  

 John Edwards hires hate-mongering bloggers, refuses to discuss the hire when challenged and then acts surprised when it blows up in his face?

What about all the people in St. Louis that Elliot interviews?  Especially that Pagedale mayor!  She couldn't have given two poops less about the situtation!

For crap's sake!



 

Man, what a horse. What a fighter! I don't know how many of you all out there read Seabiscuit and learned about horses and their personalities, but Barbaro captured my heart.

He faced insurmountable odds (doctors gave him a 4% chance during a particularly dark period in July, he was later walking in a field) and seemed to always beat them, until today. I don't know all the details, but I do know that when his owners could no longer ease his pain, they ended it. To see even his doctor broken up about it was moving, as was remembering all of Barbaro's triumphs during his short life.

Anyway, I guess a veterinary scholarship has been established in his name at the University of Florida, and I hope we remember the horse that almost did. And he's off...

Holy cow! What a day for NFL playoffs!

As a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan from BEFORE their superbowl win, words cannot express how excited I am to see two class acts, Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, coaching in Superbowl XLI.

The Bears, who got little respect or hype before today's game, blew the Saints out of the water and wow, what a game by the Colts! Down 21-3 and the come back in the largest comeback in playoff history?

A few years ago, the Colts had a series of commercials that were an absolute trip and included Touchdown Monkey (with arms raised, of course) and the smaller Afterpoint Monkey. It is with great pride that they now sit in our living room. Also worth more than words can express... Bellicheck's postgame interview. I love it! What a sourpuss! TAKE THAT PATRIOTS!

Ahhh... football. Can I get NFL Films' "Bells of the NFL" cued up for a little pregame hype?

HOLLA!