Bracketology by Frank Sinatra (My Way) - the fun way to play

I have all 4 of the Final Four teams in my bracket.  Here's how - Wait for it!

(In understanding, camaraderie, and response to Philip and Karen Martin (Ark Dem-Gaz) who confessed to three brackets and former sports reporting in days of yore and boasts that his bracket (one of them) is still "alive and well.") So is my bracket. I fill out my bracket by rounds (oh, yes, I do) and by association to basketball history and tradition.

I was 26-6 after round one, all due to my Bracketology of association with my sons, my BHS Panthers, Memphis, Arkansas, or the old SWC. Brilliant Strategy.

As an example or two in the first round - Richmond was a solid pick because a former Bartlett HS athlete was signed by the Spiders and he played there until he transferred to Ole Miss. Tennessee because I have money invested in that school as my son lived in the athletic offices, choosing athletics over academics, for a few semesters. Arizona because of Josh Pastner and Houston because U of M Tigers had beaten them this season. Of course, Memphis and Arkansas, Baylor because of  Chip and Joanna, Talya, and SWC, and KY to go down in flames because of Calipari  and his duck run under cover of darkness and suspicion to KY from U of M.

The second round was a doozie. I had Miami coming out because son had the hoodie and as a toddler referred to the team as "my mammy." Don Johnson was another good reason to choose Miami (Miami Vice). Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio because the states have three vowels (Wordle) and because I detest LSU. Sentiment went to UTChattanooga but who are we kidding. TTech was old SWC and of course Arkansas.

Texas is OUT,  just because. 

I only had nine wins going to the Sweet 16.

But, I have 7 of the elite 8 - Arkansas (yes, indeed), Duke (former BHS student is alum. He is son of a classmate from Henderson State), UNC (love Roy Williams who came to BHS on a recruiting trip and was so very kind to our students. And  Papa Smurf), Houston is in Memphis' conference, NOVA (Memphis State vs Villanova in 1985). Never had the Peacocks even though my granddaughter loves the colorful birds and we have cousins in New Jersey. 

Kansas (U of M vs Kansas. Jayhawks won in Memphis' season of shame), and My-Mammy plus Don Johnson. 

That brings me to the final four - Duke (really - even with Elvis-haired Coach K whose voice kills me), UNC (love the Carolina Blue and son has a blanket and jersey). NOVA because Dana Kirk sucked on his ring instead of coaching the Tigers and NOVA went on to the finals in 1985. And, KS because the Jayhawks can out-fight a pelican.

 My final answer for winner - prior to any of the Final Four contests, without any phone-a-friend or survey is Kansas. Easy pick - Jayhawks can torment the Devil out of an Elvis-impersonator's team. And because Kansas is a part of ARKansas. 

I rest my case.

Darth Vader Invades the Sports Universe

            After reading my friend Talya’s Blog post from Grace, Grits, and Gardening about fanatic response to Alabama's defeat, I was motivated to comment. Many  fans breathe in relation to their sports teams victory or defeat. So do the universities, themselves.
            The Sunday morning headlines might acknowledge that the Razorbacks  lost. As a teenager, ups and downs swung radically and any loss was a downer. Sometimes, though, I did not want to get out of bed to face the disappointment: Texas came from behind to win.  Once, a hometown man died of a heart attack in the stands at War Memorial Stadium when Ole Miss got 2 chances to kick an extra point for the win. This was serious football.
                    

Memphis basketball is loaded with the  passion of Louisville, Cincinnati, and Final Four.  Tuesdays and Saturdays focus community attention on each bounce of the ball: victory or defeat.  The city holds its breath when the Tigers take the hardwood. Serious basketball for serious fans.

                Things have become  too charged with fanaticism, gotten out of hand in many respects.  Sports should be a positive enterprise:  competitive fun and economic fuel for a community, university, or state.  In my opinion, however, it hasn't been "just a game" for a very long time. Ask a coach who is fired if he thinks the sport "is just a game."  Check the financial contributions to the university in the name of this "game."  When did sport become so serious?  Young men still in their teens and early twenties are lining up for football or basketball with much more to lose than a game.  And that mentality filters down to babies in uniforms, and their parents. 
                 Taking a game seriously and being a fan-fanatic, in proper perspective, can be exhilarating. But, death threats? I’ve heard news reports of such after the Auburn win over Alabama.
                 Winning and losing.  That's life. We learn to rebound from fender benders or family tragedies and face the next day. People who do not learn to balance life can become bitter and jaded. And make threats that turn our stomachs.

                 Darth Vader must be their father.