I had tickets to see Earth, Wind and Fire but I gave them to a friend so I could go watch the Final Four at Side Pockets. It was a tough decision but I think this Final Four could be great. As in classic. Watch, now it’ll be disappointing.
I really like both games. I think Georgetown will beat Ohio State but by only a point or two. I love the matchup of big men in this game. In the second game, I like Florida. On radio yesterday I picked UCLA to win, but that’s only because I need to make up some ground in our picks contest. I think Florida is too deep and too talented for the Bruins, although I would like to be wrong.
The only drawback to the Final Four is having to listen to Jim Nantz and Billy Packer. Not that they’re not good, but I’m just tired of Nantz’s sentimentality and it’s just getting started. Wait until next week when he hosts the Masters. The schmaltz really gets thick then.
Also this weekend the Cardinals open the Major League season on Sunday night against the Mets on ESPN2. I think the Cardinals are a better team than they were last year, but that doesn’t mean I think they’ll win the World Series. As a bonus to my blog readers, I’ll divulge my pick of the Mets to beat the Indians in the Fall Classic. At least I think that’s who I picked. Check on Sunday’s Eagle for my big league predictions as well as stories on former Wichita State pitchers MIke Pelfrey and Braden Looper.
Talk to you after the Final Four. Oh, and let me know about Direct TV. I’m getting it installed Monday specifically so I can watch baseball. And, even more specifically, the Cardinals.
I did something monumental this afternoon. I’m dropping Cox cable and getting Direct TV. The reason is simple: Direct TV now has exclusive rights to Major League Baseball’s Extra Inning television package and cable television is out of the loop.
But there are other factors I like: More high-definition options, more movie channels, etc.
I’m generally not someone who likes change. If you’ve seen my wardrobe, you know that. But in this case, change might be good. I’m excited about it. Tell me, you satellite television users, what do you think? Is this a mistake or will I now live in bliss?
Chris Sligh is a nice guy. I’m a poet and don’t know it. But seriously, I like Chris’ personality and was sorry to see him get the boot from the American Idol voters Wednesday night. He’s a really good singer but he made a fatal choice by singing The Police’s Every Little Thing on Tuesday night. It’s not his style of song. He’s more of a cabaret singer; I think he would have done really well next week with a Tony Bennett song.
Chris didn’t cut it, but he cut it more than the highly irritating Sanjaya Malakar, who remains alive because of prank American Idol voters who want to see the show discredited. For the sake of the show, Sanjaya should just drop out. He should never have been picked for the show in the first place.
It’s inhumane how they make the eliminated contestants sing one final song at the end of the show Wednesday. Poor Chris went from one singer to the other, offering hugs as he sang his last song. When he got to Sanjaya, I half expected him to throw a punch.
I’m a little late to weigh in, but the highlight of Tuesday’s show was Gwen Stefani. I hate to flaunt my maleness, but WOW! She’s gorgeous.
OK, enough of that. But, really, I liked her girl-next-door look, as if anyone who looks like Gwen Stefani would move in next door to me.
As for the competition, I think Melinda widened her lead. I think, perhaps, Blake can get into the mix but it’s an all-girl race, still, between Melinda, LaKisha and Jordin. And you know what? I thought Gina was pretty good Tuesday, the best she has been. I like her.
This isn’t the best season of Idol, although Melinda might turn out to be the best singer the show has produced. Maybe we need more of Gwen.
Pretty disappointing tonight. My column tomorrow morning is a little harsh. I thought the Jayhawks played out of control. Bill Self blamed youth; I don’t think youth had much to do with it. I just think Kansas was pretty bad. Surprising because of how well they had played in Chicago. But the Jayhawks were mediocre in San Jose.
Those of us in this business have interesting outlooks. I have been on the road four weekends in a row. And while I would not trade jobs with anybody (slight exaggeration, but not much) I am a little road weary. So it will be nice to arrive home Sunday and know that’s where I’m staying.
But I always look forward to covering the Final Four. I have covered five of them and they have been great experiences. So I’m a little sorry I won’t be headed to Atlanta next week.
When I play golf this spring and summer, most likely I’ll be wearing the hat I purchased Saturday at Pebble Beach. Oh, yeah, Pebble Beach. It’s heaven on earth to a golfer and a group of us took the 17-mile drive during the morning, before the KU-UCLA game.
What a drive. If someone could please loan me a couple of million dollars, I could put a down payment on one of the houses.
We went to the pro shop and, just outside, there was a great view of the green on No. 18. Then we ventured close to the tee box at No. 1 and watched some guys hit their tee shots. Most of them were good, but one guy barely got the ball off the ground. Reminded me of me.
This has been a great trip. This is gorgeous country.
Oh, I’ve been reading some of your posts. To the writer who was surprised I left Wichita out of my top five cities list, let’s see if the downtown arena gets built. If it does, I’ll insert Wichita in there somewhere. If not, well you probably know what I think.
Will be back throughout the day discussing the game. It’s an hour until tip now and I think . . . I don’t know what to think. This game will be close. How’s that for a prediction?
Every time I’m in this state, I feel like I want to live here. Then I buy something. Today, it was a package of mints and some gum in the gift shop at the hotel. Four bucks.
Having in been in Kansas for so long, sticker shock would never allow me to feel comfortable living here. But I do love this state. It’s gorgeous and I could really get used to seeing the ocean on a regular basis. I think the area from Santa Barbara to San Francisco has to be the best, visually, in the United States.
Working today, but planning a drive south tomorrow to Carmel. I have to visit Pebble Beach, don’t I?
So far, and it’s halftime of the Southern Illinois-Kansas game, the Salukis have dictated the pace. I’m guessing Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas have made the same point on CBS. Why do you need them when you have me.
I expected Kansas to get out on transition and run SIU out of the gym. Instead, the Salukis have kept the game at their pace. Get this: SIU is shooting 27.6 percent compared to Kansas’ 61.9 and still only trails by three.
Logic says if the Salukis start making shots, they can win this game. But I’m sticking by my prediction that Kansas eventualy will open up a decent lead and win by 12.
I know you’ll let me know if I’m wrong.
Here we are, getting ready for Kansas’ game tonight against Southern Illinois. San Jose is nice, but Chicago was better. In fact, I’m now putting Chi-town in my list of top five favorite American cities. Here’s the updated list for those of you playing at home: 1) San Diego; 2) Boston; 3) New York; 4) Chicago; 5) St. Louis (only because of the Cardinals, although I do like the place.)
I’ll be shocked if Kansas doesn’t pound SIU pretty good. That’s taking nothing away from the Salukis, but as you know I’ve been really impressed with the Jayhawks lately.
Tonight I went to a nice Italian restaurant with some of my newspaper buddies and tried to sing some karaoke at the hotel bar. I sucked. I’m usually pretty good, if I say so myself. But I couldn’t reach any high note tonight. What’s up with that? Is it normal to lose range in your voice as you age? Please, somebody who knows about these kinds of things, I need an answer.
I’ll check in a couple of times tomorrow. Planning on driving to San Francisco in the morning for a little sight seeing before the game.
Not many upsets but a lot of really close, tough games so far. What do you think so far? I prefer a tournament with more unknowns doing well. Butler could be the only surprise team in the Sweet 16 unless Winthrop comes through against Oregon.
It’s halftime of the UNLV-Wisconsin game here at the United Center. I’m in the media room, thinking about taking a nap. Nah, that probably wouldn’t look good.
I’m expecting Kansas to beat Kentucky by 12-15 points today. The Wildcats just don’t have the firepower to match the Jayhawks, especially in the backcourt. I know KU is susceptible to being inconsistent at times, but the team is playing at a high level. So far, Kansas and North Carolina have been the two most impressive teams in the tournament. How can I make that statement after just one win over a bad Niagara team? Good question. I just think the Jayhawks are that good.