Wow. Not a single number 1 seed survived this past weekend. But while my Bracket is in a shambles, there was some might good basketball being played. Some comments.
Duke & Gonzaga. As you know from my picks, I had Duke losing to LSU and Gonzaga missing the Elite 8 also. Neither of these games were particularly surprising. Each team suffered from the same vulnerability: too much reliance on one or two players. I will say that Sheldon Williams was wonderful to watch. He almost carried that whole team to victory.
UConn, on the other hand, simply did not want to win. Statistically, they played well, but GMU played like they really wanted to go to the Final Four. It is hard to pin down the reason for UConn's lack of heart, but Josh Boone is a good start. His poor play throughout the tournament killed UConn. Not simply in the missed lay-ups and FT, but in the fact that he was simply not an option for Marcus Williams. Jim Calhoun would have been better off sitting Boone and keeping Jeff Adrien in the whole second half.
Despite all that, UConn came within 1/2 inch of winning.
Duke and Gonzaga lost, but UConn got what they deserved.
3.28.2006
3.27.2006
Tastes like Chicken
Time to eat crow. I haven't checked the bet and picks, but I have the feeling that I am mathematically eliminated from our little contest. Looks like Tilam won't have to pay to get this ass whooped on the golf course, it'll be my treat. Grats to him!
Impressions of the weekend:
"come on honey, it'll only be the second time this month!" - oh wait, wrong impression.
Parity (to use Tilam's word). More talent is being spread out among colleges. Less fear of the "big boys". Quality coaching at the mid-level is now getting high quality players, and it's showing. I must concur with Tilam, at this point, Cinderella is dead and gone - call George Mason a cinderella if you want, but 4 games in a row? Nah!
Impressions of the weekend:
"come on honey, it'll only be the second time this month!" - oh wait, wrong impression.
Parity (to use Tilam's word). More talent is being spread out among colleges. Less fear of the "big boys". Quality coaching at the mid-level is now getting high quality players, and it's showing. I must concur with Tilam, at this point, Cinderella is dead and gone - call George Mason a cinderella if you want, but 4 games in a row? Nah!
3.22.2006
Joga Bonito
"Play Beautiful"
Nike has a new series of ads celebrating World Cup 2006 and launching their new line of soccer shoes. Normally, I don't give this marketing thing a second thought, but they have a series of videos hosted by Eric Cantona. Most impressive is the Brazilian Ping Pong with Ronaldinho. Impressive in its originality, but doubtful that it actually happened. While Ronaldinho swears he did it, I find it highly improbable. I will say that if anyone in the world could, Ronaldinho could - his foot skills are amazing.
My favorite is 4-4-2 or 1-1-8? Anyone who loves the "beautiful game" will immediately love that point of view. There is some impressive play (Thierry Henry's back heel goal is my favorite), though with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Henry and Wayne Rooney, you think they could fill several reels of highlight films.
Check it out...
TILAM UPDATE: It did occur to me that anyone who know Cantona's history will find it surprising he is advocating the "beautiful game." But I guess drop kicking SPECTATORS is ok. Still, as regular readers know, I prefer to remember the athlete for the totality of his/her career, and not based on one incident. Long live King Eric.
Nike has a new series of ads celebrating World Cup 2006 and launching their new line of soccer shoes. Normally, I don't give this marketing thing a second thought, but they have a series of videos hosted by Eric Cantona. Most impressive is the Brazilian Ping Pong with Ronaldinho. Impressive in its originality, but doubtful that it actually happened. While Ronaldinho swears he did it, I find it highly improbable. I will say that if anyone in the world could, Ronaldinho could - his foot skills are amazing.
My favorite is 4-4-2 or 1-1-8? Anyone who loves the "beautiful game" will immediately love that point of view. There is some impressive play (Thierry Henry's back heel goal is my favorite), though with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Henry and Wayne Rooney, you think they could fill several reels of highlight films.
Check it out...
TILAM UPDATE: It did occur to me that anyone who know Cantona's history will find it surprising he is advocating the "beautiful game." But I guess drop kicking SPECTATORS is ok. Still, as regular readers know, I prefer to remember the athlete for the totality of his/her career, and not based on one incident. Long live King Eric.
3.21.2006
Up for Air
First things first:
KUDO's to Tilam for calling the Atlanta & Minneapolis regions SPOT ON! I guess after successful therapy for surfing the web for animal porn he's found a new hobby, and his research into college hoops is showing benefits. Good Job Tilam!
Big games in the Tilam-Thew challenge: LSU/Duke, Fla/G'Town (I gotta root for G'Town since Tilam has UF and I'm outta this one).
Now, the pain...
I rode the wave of the Orangemen after the Big East tournament. McNamara seemed hot, the team seemed relaxed, and BAM, they ran into LSU. Okay, I'm a dumbass.
Not since Hersey Hawkins strode the sidelines for the Braves has Bradley made a significant splash. If I didn't have Memphis beating them, I'd root big time.
I bailed on Florida as over-rated and bet on Oklahoma, which was backwards. The OSU loss to Georgetown was a huge surprise, and it wasn't close, it was a bit of a spanking.
When I was revived, I actually hopped on the "the selection committee got it right" bandwagon with George Mason. Too much confidence in Roy Williams' coaching at UNC, I guess.
I have 11 of the Sweet Sixteen, but I'm definitely shut out of 2 of the Elite Eight games. However, I too, have all my Final Four teams still in.
On a good note, I am third in the office pool...
TILAM COMMENT: Thank you for the kudos, but that won't prevent me from a small correction. 'Cuse may have run into LSU...in the locker room, but not on the court. They got wasted by A&M.
KUDO's to Tilam for calling the Atlanta & Minneapolis regions SPOT ON! I guess after successful therapy for surfing the web for animal porn he's found a new hobby, and his research into college hoops is showing benefits. Good Job Tilam!
Big games in the Tilam-Thew challenge: LSU/Duke, Fla/G'Town (I gotta root for G'Town since Tilam has UF and I'm outta this one).
Now, the pain...
I rode the wave of the Orangemen after the Big East tournament. McNamara seemed hot, the team seemed relaxed, and BAM, they ran into LSU. Okay, I'm a dumbass.
Not since Hersey Hawkins strode the sidelines for the Braves has Bradley made a significant splash. If I didn't have Memphis beating them, I'd root big time.
I bailed on Florida as over-rated and bet on Oklahoma, which was backwards. The OSU loss to Georgetown was a huge surprise, and it wasn't close, it was a bit of a spanking.
When I was revived, I actually hopped on the "the selection committee got it right" bandwagon with George Mason. Too much confidence in Roy Williams' coaching at UNC, I guess.
I have 11 of the Sweet Sixteen, but I'm definitely shut out of 2 of the Elite Eight games. However, I too, have all my Final Four teams still in.
On a good note, I am third in the office pool...
TILAM COMMENT: Thank you for the kudos, but that won't prevent me from a small correction. 'Cuse may have run into LSU...in the locker room, but not on the court. They got wasted by A&M.
3.20.2006
UConn Woes
Let's compare two Sweet 16 teams:
Team 1: Scored a combined 159 points, shot 54% from the field and 41% from 3 point range.
Team 2: Scored a combined 144 points, shot 48% from the field and 35% from 3 point range.
The media laments on how Team 1 has played poorly and Team 2 rolls through the Bracket. Could it be that Team 1's opponents have stepped it up and Team 2's have not?
The coverage of the NCAA's always makes me laugh because you cannot compare UConn's (Team 1) games with Duke's (Team 2). There was no doubt UConn was very sloppy against Albany, but give the Great Danes credit. Kentucky played arguably their best game of the year and shot 50% from 3 point land (from NBA 3 point land it seemed) in the second half.
My one gripe on UConn is that they have been real tentative on the boards - only 6 blocks in two games. They need to OWN the boards against Washington.
Team 1: Scored a combined 159 points, shot 54% from the field and 41% from 3 point range.
Team 2: Scored a combined 144 points, shot 48% from the field and 35% from 3 point range.
The media laments on how Team 1 has played poorly and Team 2 rolls through the Bracket. Could it be that Team 1's opponents have stepped it up and Team 2's have not?
The coverage of the NCAA's always makes me laugh because you cannot compare UConn's (Team 1) games with Duke's (Team 2). There was no doubt UConn was very sloppy against Albany, but give the Great Danes credit. Kentucky played arguably their best game of the year and shot 50% from 3 point land (from NBA 3 point land it seemed) in the second half.
My one gripe on UConn is that they have been real tentative on the boards - only 6 blocks in two games. They need to OWN the boards against Washington.
Good Calls and Air Balls
The reason I did not post until after the dust settles on the Sweet 16 is that there is a tendency to use one game as the barometer of the Tournament. Of course you can't. But there are some observations that deserved to be made:
Parity. Parity. Parity. Maybe it's the lure of the NBA on the Top BCS players (and HS seniors who would otherwise go to a BCS school), but Cinderella has just been killed. She is a myth. No one can take a "mid-major" program for granted.
Four of the Sweet 16 team are Big East, two each from ACC (thank got they stole BC from the BEast!), Pac10, SEC and Missouri Valley. One from CUSA, Big 12, WCC and Colonial. Zero from the Big 10.
Air Ball: I have got to apologize to the Pac 10. I have disrespected them all year and UCLA and Washington both looked like they deserve to be in the Sweet 16. Much apologies. Same can be said for Memphis and Gonzaga also, but, so far, each has performed according to my expectations.
Good Call: I said below: "UNC and Kansas seem to be favorite picks for deep runs. Not gonna happen." I will say I had UNC going further out of a "weak side" bracket, but their loss is no surprise here.
Sort of Good Call: I have 12 out of the Sweet 16. Missed the Bradley and George Mason runs, but called Wichita State. I placed too much faith in Marquette (and Steve "The Bust" Novak) and missed the coin toss that was the Illinois and Washington game. Unfortunately, I can only get a max of 6 of the Elite 8, but my Final Four are all still alive.
Parity. Parity. Parity. Maybe it's the lure of the NBA on the Top BCS players (and HS seniors who would otherwise go to a BCS school), but Cinderella has just been killed. She is a myth. No one can take a "mid-major" program for granted.
Four of the Sweet 16 team are Big East, two each from ACC (thank got they stole BC from the BEast!), Pac10, SEC and Missouri Valley. One from CUSA, Big 12, WCC and Colonial. Zero from the Big 10.
Air Ball: I have got to apologize to the Pac 10. I have disrespected them all year and UCLA and Washington both looked like they deserve to be in the Sweet 16. Much apologies. Same can be said for Memphis and Gonzaga also, but, so far, each has performed according to my expectations.
Good Call: I said below: "UNC and Kansas seem to be favorite picks for deep runs. Not gonna happen." I will say I had UNC going further out of a "weak side" bracket, but their loss is no surprise here.
Sort of Good Call: I have 12 out of the Sweet 16. Missed the Bradley and George Mason runs, but called Wichita State. I placed too much faith in Marquette (and Steve "The Bust" Novak) and missed the coin toss that was the Illinois and Washington game. Unfortunately, I can only get a max of 6 of the Elite 8, but my Final Four are all still alive.
3.14.2006
The gauntlet thrown
Okay, game on!
Sweet Sixteen:
Atlanta: Duke / Syracuse / West Virginia / Texas
Oakland: Memphis / Pittsburgh / Gonzaga / UCLA
DC: UCONN / Washington / North Carolina / Wichita State
Minneapolis: Villanova / Boston College / Oklahoma / Ohio State
Elite Eight:
Atlanta: Duke / Texas
Oakland: Memphis / Gonzaga
DC: UCONN / North Carolina
Minny: Villanova / Ohio State
Final Four:
Duke / Gonzaga / UCONN / Villanova
Final Game:
UCONN over Duke
Sweet Sixteen:
Atlanta: Duke / Syracuse / West Virginia / Texas
Oakland: Memphis / Pittsburgh / Gonzaga / UCLA
DC: UCONN / Washington / North Carolina / Wichita State
Minneapolis: Villanova / Boston College / Oklahoma / Ohio State
Elite Eight:
Atlanta: Duke / Texas
Oakland: Memphis / Gonzaga
DC: UCONN / North Carolina
Minny: Villanova / Ohio State
Final Four:
Duke / Gonzaga / UCONN / Villanova
Final Game:
UCONN over Duke
I'll Take That Bet..
You all have seen my Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, Final 2 and Champ.
I will challenge Thew with a round of golf on the line.
I showed you mine, now show me yours...
I will challenge Thew with a round of golf on the line.
I showed you mine, now show me yours...
Who's running the show?!
Most (actually, the Ivory Soap ratio - 99 44/100ths) of you do not know Tilam in Real Life like I do (count your blessings). To those lucky ignorant people out there, I put this little tidbit forth - he is a well-educated, occasionally well-opinionated, high ranking individual in a budding company. He has a track record of success and should continue this trend...except for one thing:
Who the heck is running the show? Tilam's opinions are many and often, he blogs seemingly without coming up for air, when does he have time to run his organization? Apparently the company is able to run itself, because the big dude is off perusing the NC2A bracketology boards and blogging with abandon. Scary... By the way, Gonzaga WILL prevail, I believe that Adam Morrison is too good and really has his game together (see Bird, Larry, with Indiana State in 1979), and Gonzaga will make the Final Four.
Me? I'm a cog, nay the broken spoke, in the corporate wheel. I watch hockey, play golf, internet MMORPG (World of Warcraft), and try incessantly to make Mrs Thew perform illicit acts. Oh, and rassle with our 130 lb great dane for alpha male status (don't fret, I will not be seen at "downonthefarm.com" anytime soon). Oh, and the "play golf" part causes Tilam much consternation, since it has been nigh 10 years since he's beaten me at golf. Or almost that amount of time...
But okay, I'll take a few minutes to blog on the tourney:
Andy Katz says that UCONN will win if Marcus Williams plays like the best point guard in the nation. Best POINT GUARD! Are you listening Marcus? UCONN needs a point guard, not another scorer. We'll see if he gets the message.
And since TILAM will inevitably take a returning pot shot at me, LET'S GET READY FOR A TOURNAMENT BET! That's right readers, to make things interesting, I will propose that the ignoramus challenge the pundit. Thew vs. Tilam (you decide who is who)! Typical scoring - points for each correct pick, 1 for R1, 2 for R2, 4 for R3, and so on. I will bet a round of golf at my local club if Tilam responds in kind. If Tilam agrees, we'll figure out a way to track our picks and we'll keep you posted, since I know you all read this with the utmost interest. Tilam, you game?
On to more heady topics:
Some of you might seem familiar with Bill Engvall and his hilarious work. His catch phrase has become my mantra on life - "I HATE STUPID PEOPLE". This guy is my Dalai Lama. Just today I'm in line getting lunch, and the big sign says "CASH ONLY". Well this moron in front of me whips out his debit care - WTF, can you not read?! And he give the poor cashier a dirty look when she explains it to him. OMGz, it's incredible. And I'm not racist, but the cashier was a black woman, and EVERYONE, black men included, know that you do NOT mess with a black woman. They kick ass...anyone's ass.
Musings on the vagaries of getting old...
If I had lived during the Irish famine, then all this dang potato stuff in my ears would have wiped out THAT famine.
Can you fit a lawnmower up my shnozz to cut this nose hair?
WTF is up with ear hair - am I gonna have to call ChemLawn here or what?
When I was 25, sex was tri-weekly. WOO! Now that I'm 40, it's try weekly. Crap!
All the hot chix are only slightly older than my oldest child...isn't that illegal, even to think it?
Shit, they really do shrink as you get older...
Who the heck is running the show? Tilam's opinions are many and often, he blogs seemingly without coming up for air, when does he have time to run his organization? Apparently the company is able to run itself, because the big dude is off perusing the NC2A bracketology boards and blogging with abandon. Scary... By the way, Gonzaga WILL prevail, I believe that Adam Morrison is too good and really has his game together (see Bird, Larry, with Indiana State in 1979), and Gonzaga will make the Final Four.
Me? I'm a cog, nay the broken spoke, in the corporate wheel. I watch hockey, play golf, internet MMORPG (World of Warcraft), and try incessantly to make Mrs Thew perform illicit acts. Oh, and rassle with our 130 lb great dane for alpha male status (don't fret, I will not be seen at "downonthefarm.com" anytime soon). Oh, and the "play golf" part causes Tilam much consternation, since it has been nigh 10 years since he's beaten me at golf. Or almost that amount of time...
But okay, I'll take a few minutes to blog on the tourney:
Andy Katz says that UCONN will win if Marcus Williams plays like the best point guard in the nation. Best POINT GUARD! Are you listening Marcus? UCONN needs a point guard, not another scorer. We'll see if he gets the message.
And since TILAM will inevitably take a returning pot shot at me, LET'S GET READY FOR A TOURNAMENT BET! That's right readers, to make things interesting, I will propose that the ignoramus challenge the pundit. Thew vs. Tilam (you decide who is who)! Typical scoring - points for each correct pick, 1 for R1, 2 for R2, 4 for R3, and so on. I will bet a round of golf at my local club if Tilam responds in kind. If Tilam agrees, we'll figure out a way to track our picks and we'll keep you posted, since I know you all read this with the utmost interest. Tilam, you game?
On to more heady topics:
Some of you might seem familiar with Bill Engvall and his hilarious work. His catch phrase has become my mantra on life - "I HATE STUPID PEOPLE". This guy is my Dalai Lama. Just today I'm in line getting lunch, and the big sign says "CASH ONLY". Well this moron in front of me whips out his debit care - WTF, can you not read?! And he give the poor cashier a dirty look when she explains it to him. OMGz, it's incredible. And I'm not racist, but the cashier was a black woman, and EVERYONE, black men included, know that you do NOT mess with a black woman. They kick ass...anyone's ass.
Musings on the vagaries of getting old...
If I had lived during the Irish famine, then all this dang potato stuff in my ears would have wiped out THAT famine.
Can you fit a lawnmower up my shnozz to cut this nose hair?
WTF is up with ear hair - am I gonna have to call ChemLawn here or what?
When I was 25, sex was tri-weekly. WOO! Now that I'm 40, it's try weekly. Crap!
All the hot chix are only slightly older than my oldest child...isn't that illegal, even to think it?
Shit, they really do shrink as you get older...
Opinions are Like...
Pouring over the opinions on which is the toughest bracket, I am amazed at the diversity of opinion. Gregg Doyel says Oakland, Dickie V. thinks DC, De Los Santos (and my) feeling is that Minneapolis is the toughest, but I would pick Atlanta (Dennis Dodd's pick) next. I am surprised, normally there is a general consensus on the toughest region. Not that I see this year.
UNC and Kansas seem to be favorite picks for deep runs. Not gonna happen. Each is very young and did what young teams do over the season, mature, improve and beat conference opponents when they get a SECOND chance. What young teams don't do well is handle good, new look teams and the pressure of the Tourney. UNC might come out of the weak side of the DC bracket, but I do not see Kansas getting to the Sweet 16.
Another year, another Gonzaga love fest. CBS' "National Bracket" has Gonzaga in the Final Four out of Oakland. Again, Gonzaga has the "easy" ("easier"?) side of the Oakland bracket, but still will probably face IU and then Marquette (and Steve Novak) or UCLA. If they get through then they have a date with Memphis (or Kansas or Pitt). That is three games against six teams that are (IMHO) better then they are. Using Saragin's Predictor on a neutral court, Gonzaga loses to IU by a point, Marquette by a point, UCLA by 4, Memphis by 7, Kansas by 7 and Pitt by 4. Of course, you have to play the games, but I see them falling to Marquette or UCLA. Regardless, according to Jeff's computer Gonzaga does not have a neutral court advantage over any of the teams they are likely to play.
John Chaney has retired. 'Bout time. 'Nuff said.
I think I have covered all I wanted in this and the previous posts. No more commenting until after the Sweet 16 is determined. Finally, for the record, my Sweet 16 is Duke, LSU, UWV, Texas, Memphis, Pitt, Gonzaga, Marquette, UConn, Illinois, UNC, Witchita State, 'Nova, BC, Florida, GTown. My Cinderella Pick is Witchita State. (I like Northern Iowa, but they got a crap draw.)
UNC and Kansas seem to be favorite picks for deep runs. Not gonna happen. Each is very young and did what young teams do over the season, mature, improve and beat conference opponents when they get a SECOND chance. What young teams don't do well is handle good, new look teams and the pressure of the Tourney. UNC might come out of the weak side of the DC bracket, but I do not see Kansas getting to the Sweet 16.
Another year, another Gonzaga love fest. CBS' "National Bracket" has Gonzaga in the Final Four out of Oakland. Again, Gonzaga has the "easy" ("easier"?) side of the Oakland bracket, but still will probably face IU and then Marquette (and Steve Novak) or UCLA. If they get through then they have a date with Memphis (or Kansas or Pitt). That is three games against six teams that are (IMHO) better then they are. Using Saragin's Predictor on a neutral court, Gonzaga loses to IU by a point, Marquette by a point, UCLA by 4, Memphis by 7, Kansas by 7 and Pitt by 4. Of course, you have to play the games, but I see them falling to Marquette or UCLA. Regardless, according to Jeff's computer Gonzaga does not have a neutral court advantage over any of the teams they are likely to play.
John Chaney has retired. 'Bout time. 'Nuff said.
I think I have covered all I wanted in this and the previous posts. No more commenting until after the Sweet 16 is determined. Finally, for the record, my Sweet 16 is Duke, LSU, UWV, Texas, Memphis, Pitt, Gonzaga, Marquette, UConn, Illinois, UNC, Witchita State, 'Nova, BC, Florida, GTown. My Cinderella Pick is Witchita State. (I like Northern Iowa, but they got a crap draw.)
3.13.2006
Doyel's Region of Death
is...Oakland?
Normally, I agree with Gregg Doyel, but how does he figure Oakland is the Region of Death? Let's look at the 2, 3 and 4 seeds. Looking at Saragin's Rating for them, UCLA ranks 15, Gonzaga ranks 18 and Kansas ranks 10, for a total of 43.
The Minneapolis Region has OSU ranked 9, Florida ranked 8 and BC ranked 16 for a total of 33. The Atlanta Region has Texas ranked 4, Iowa ranked 14 and LSU ranked 12 for a total of 28 and DC has Tennessee ranked 13, UNC ranked 6 and Illinois ranked 7 for a total of 26. (Okay, maybe UConn has a tougher road then I thought!)
Now Pittsburgh is a strong the #5 seed, but the Oakland Region is hardly a Region of Death.
Normally, I agree with Gregg Doyel, but how does he figure Oakland is the Region of Death? Let's look at the 2, 3 and 4 seeds. Looking at Saragin's Rating for them, UCLA ranks 15, Gonzaga ranks 18 and Kansas ranks 10, for a total of 43.
The Minneapolis Region has OSU ranked 9, Florida ranked 8 and BC ranked 16 for a total of 33. The Atlanta Region has Texas ranked 4, Iowa ranked 14 and LSU ranked 12 for a total of 28 and DC has Tennessee ranked 13, UNC ranked 6 and Illinois ranked 7 for a total of 26. (Okay, maybe UConn has a tougher road then I thought!)
Now Pittsburgh is a strong the #5 seed, but the Oakland Region is hardly a Region of Death.
Snubs and Flubs
You here about snubs all the time and the question is really why did you let X in instead of us.
I think there are only two "real" snubs this year: Cincinnati and Missouri State, but as usual, each cause their own demise. With Cincy, it came down to which Big East team would they swap with? I would argue that Seton Hall should have been left out rather than Cincy, but also feel they BOTH deserved a chance.
More perplexing is Missouri State. An RPI of 21 and you do not get in? Bradley needed to go and the Bears needed to be in.
But it is in the seeding that I am scratching my head. George Washington a #8? (#3 or #4 max)Tennessee a #2? (#3) Syracuse a #5? (#7 or 8) UCLA a #2? (#3 or #4). Okay, maybe missing by one slot is not so bad, but there seemed to be a number of misses. You show respect for Missouri Valley by giving them the same number of seeds as the ACC, but then don't give them higher then a #10 seed?
But let's see, the beauty of the NC2As is that the arguments are settled on the court.
I think there are only two "real" snubs this year: Cincinnati and Missouri State, but as usual, each cause their own demise. With Cincy, it came down to which Big East team would they swap with? I would argue that Seton Hall should have been left out rather than Cincy, but also feel they BOTH deserved a chance.
More perplexing is Missouri State. An RPI of 21 and you do not get in? Bradley needed to go and the Bears needed to be in.
But it is in the seeding that I am scratching my head. George Washington a #8? (#3 or #4 max)Tennessee a #2? (#3) Syracuse a #5? (#7 or 8) UCLA a #2? (#3 or #4). Okay, maybe missing by one slot is not so bad, but there seemed to be a number of misses. You show respect for Missouri Valley by giving them the same number of seeds as the ACC, but then don't give them higher then a #10 seed?
But let's see, the beauty of the NC2As is that the arguments are settled on the court.
Quick Bracket Thoughts
Okay, here are my first impressions of the NCAA Tourney Brackets:
Toughest: Minneapolis. Whose wife did Jay Wright f***? The road to the title could be against Wisconsin, BC and OSU? Ouch.
Honorable Mention: Atlanta. Usually, I am amazed at the easy draw Duke gets. Not this year. There second round match should be against GW, who was ranked 6th in the nation last week. Coach K can bitch all he wants this year and I will be sympathetic. Of course, if Pops Mensah-Bonsu is not playing...they still might face Syracuse/LSU.
Easiest: Oakland. UCLA, Gonzaga and Kansas as 2, 3 and 4. Two team that play in weak conferences and a young Kansas team. Now a Kansas/Pitt match-up might give Memphis fits, but overall, it should be a walk for the Tigers. Of course, I am not sure I relish playing Arkansas/Bucknell early as either of those teams could be deadly to someone looking past them.
Some have said UConn's DC Bracket is easier. I would suggest that, excepting Tennessee as the #2 seed, it is tougher then Oakland. That being said, UConn is RELATIVELY better against their Bracket then Memphis is against theirs.
Elite 8: LSU, Texas, Memphis, Marquette, UConn, UNC, Villanova, Florida.
Final Four: Texas, Memphis, UConn and Villanova.
Finals: UConn and Texas
Champion: UConn.
Biggest potential letdown: UConn. Please guys, stay awake this time...
Toughest: Minneapolis. Whose wife did Jay Wright f***? The road to the title could be against Wisconsin, BC and OSU? Ouch.
Honorable Mention: Atlanta. Usually, I am amazed at the easy draw Duke gets. Not this year. There second round match should be against GW, who was ranked 6th in the nation last week. Coach K can bitch all he wants this year and I will be sympathetic. Of course, if Pops Mensah-Bonsu is not playing...they still might face Syracuse/LSU.
Easiest: Oakland. UCLA, Gonzaga and Kansas as 2, 3 and 4. Two team that play in weak conferences and a young Kansas team. Now a Kansas/Pitt match-up might give Memphis fits, but overall, it should be a walk for the Tigers. Of course, I am not sure I relish playing Arkansas/Bucknell early as either of those teams could be deadly to someone looking past them.
Some have said UConn's DC Bracket is easier. I would suggest that, excepting Tennessee as the #2 seed, it is tougher then Oakland. That being said, UConn is RELATIVELY better against their Bracket then Memphis is against theirs.
Elite 8: LSU, Texas, Memphis, Marquette, UConn, UNC, Villanova, Florida.
Final Four: Texas, Memphis, UConn and Villanova.
Finals: UConn and Texas
Champion: UConn.
Biggest potential letdown: UConn. Please guys, stay awake this time...
3.10.2006
True Dat
Tilam is right - UCONN did not lose only because of Marcus Williams. I had the opportunity to see much of the 2 halves, and here is what I saw;
No passion
No excitement
No 'tude
No Rudy Gay (see the first three) - I don't know what motivates this guy, he just stands around and watches for LONG stretches of the game - Rudy, bro, stay in school another year, your draft stock is going down like a rented whore. Of course, if *I* was the all american playa and got the ball as little as he does (see below), well, I'm not sure I'd not do the same thing.
PISS POOR shooting (see Tilam's numbers)
And ultimately, someone has GOT to tell Marcus Williams that he is not the first scoring option. Can he control the rock? Yup. Can he dish the rock? Yup. Can he shoot the rock? Nope. His shooting is suspect and his shot selection, well, that's just f'ing moronic. He is like a roach motel - ball goes in, ball doesn't come out. He will ultimately be the death of this team. Mark My Words Tilam!
Nothing else much to blog on today. The Hurricanes acquired Mark Recchi, a great move, but I hope he fits in better than Doug Weight has...
TILAM QUICK COMMENT: So I understand what might be the logic, Marcus Williams drives to the hoop, draws the foul and hits the FTs where he IS money. Here's the two flaws in that logic: first, you have to be a scoring threat to draw the defenders and two, you have to be near the basket when you go for the shot. MW is not the first and the foul line is not the place to draw the foul.
No passion
No excitement
No 'tude
No Rudy Gay (see the first three) - I don't know what motivates this guy, he just stands around and watches for LONG stretches of the game - Rudy, bro, stay in school another year, your draft stock is going down like a rented whore. Of course, if *I* was the all american playa and got the ball as little as he does (see below), well, I'm not sure I'd not do the same thing.
PISS POOR shooting (see Tilam's numbers)
And ultimately, someone has GOT to tell Marcus Williams that he is not the first scoring option. Can he control the rock? Yup. Can he dish the rock? Yup. Can he shoot the rock? Nope. His shooting is suspect and his shot selection, well, that's just f'ing moronic. He is like a roach motel - ball goes in, ball doesn't come out. He will ultimately be the death of this team. Mark My Words Tilam!
Nothing else much to blog on today. The Hurricanes acquired Mark Recchi, a great move, but I hope he fits in better than Doug Weight has...
TILAM QUICK COMMENT: So I understand what might be the logic, Marcus Williams drives to the hoop, draws the foul and hits the FTs where he IS money. Here's the two flaws in that logic: first, you have to be a scoring threat to draw the defenders and two, you have to be near the basket when you go for the shot. MW is not the first and the foul line is not the place to draw the foul.
Heading Off a Rant
Before Thew gets all hateful on Marcus Williams, I will say that you cannot blame UConn's loss on Marcus Williams. Yes, I do NOT think he should be the guy taking the final shot - Brown or Anderson should be, but UConn simply did not show up. They shot 30% from the floor. Read again: 30%. Josh Boone was 1 of 11. They started OT 0 - 10. That's right, 0 for 10.
I still think they area #1 seed, but if Villanova wins the Big East Tournament, 'Nova should get the DC region and UConn has to travel.
A final word, I was listening to the game on WTIC radio in Connecticut as I was traveling back from NY to Boston yesterday. (No, I did no plan that.) But I will say listening to a close UConn game, in Connecticut, on the cell with Thew and DRIVING is not the smartest thing yours truly has ever done. It would have been safer downing a bottle of Gentlemen Jack...
I still think they area #1 seed, but if Villanova wins the Big East Tournament, 'Nova should get the DC region and UConn has to travel.
A final word, I was listening to the game on WTIC radio in Connecticut as I was traveling back from NY to Boston yesterday. (No, I did no plan that.) But I will say listening to a close UConn game, in Connecticut, on the cell with Thew and DRIVING is not the smartest thing yours truly has ever done. It would have been safer downing a bottle of Gentlemen Jack...
3.08.2006
The slippery slope of Roe v Wade
Okay, so I'll chat a bit about this.
It might make sense to conservatives and religious right wingers to lump abortion into the bucket of heinous crimes, but I think it's more complicated than that. So let's throw some stuff out into the primordial soup of the Tilam blog...
Legalize Abortion - the woman has domain over her body, she chooses her actions, and after all is said and done, she is held accountable, either by God or no one should we just to the dirt nap when the ride is over. She can listen to the doctor, weigh the risks, then hopefully make an informed decision about her course of action. But again, she holds sway and control over herself, her body, and her destiny.
Overturn it and contest it - hmm, here is where the slippery slope causes some heartache. Okay, so abortion is illegal. Let's enter ONE of the many situations where this becomes a difficult topic.
Rape is a horrible enough crime. What if a woman gets pregnant as a result of this violent act? Are you going to FORCE her to have a child because abortion is illegal? Bear the child of a rapist criminal, who could be on drugs or crazy or worse? A child changes everything, anyone who is a parent knows that. Artificially imposing parenthood on someone who has just undergone a horrendous emotion (and physical) event is not a good thing, not to mention the daily reminder to the poor woman of the result of her rapist - something who will look into her eyes every day for the rest of her own life.
Okay so in special cases of rape, you can have an abortion. How many cases of rape do you think will be reported as a result? Don't you think that rape will become the new birth control? "Oh doc, I was raped, I need an abortion". Miss Jones will claim rape rather than admit that Mr Smith got her knocked up during a night of drunken wild sex (which is a good thing but you get my point). So she goes to her doctor and says "I was raped, I need an abortion". Quick abortion, DNC, done. Ready made birth control. BUT, what does the doctor do? If he hears that Miss Jones was raped, does he report it to the local authorities? If he does, Mr Smith will be pulled and testing done and BAM, they'll find out that he's the father and the rapist. But wait, he isn't the rapist, he's just the sperm donor. Does he do time because he's fingered as the rapist? Or does Miss Jones relent and admit she's pregnant because she's stupid. That creates bad blood and the relationship goes south and next thing you know there's another unwed mother in the world.
Bottom line, unless the federal or state authorities can account for EVERY permutation of the many loopholes of overturning Roe v Wade and possibly making abortion illegal (or something close), then you might as well just leave it as it is. Because as you have seen many times in the past, the government should not get too involved in personal issues like this, and cannot without creating a SNAFU the size of the Grand Canyon.
Gearing up for a flaming post from Tilam...
It might make sense to conservatives and religious right wingers to lump abortion into the bucket of heinous crimes, but I think it's more complicated than that. So let's throw some stuff out into the primordial soup of the Tilam blog...
Legalize Abortion - the woman has domain over her body, she chooses her actions, and after all is said and done, she is held accountable, either by God or no one should we just to the dirt nap when the ride is over. She can listen to the doctor, weigh the risks, then hopefully make an informed decision about her course of action. But again, she holds sway and control over herself, her body, and her destiny.
Overturn it and contest it - hmm, here is where the slippery slope causes some heartache. Okay, so abortion is illegal. Let's enter ONE of the many situations where this becomes a difficult topic.
Rape is a horrible enough crime. What if a woman gets pregnant as a result of this violent act? Are you going to FORCE her to have a child because abortion is illegal? Bear the child of a rapist criminal, who could be on drugs or crazy or worse? A child changes everything, anyone who is a parent knows that. Artificially imposing parenthood on someone who has just undergone a horrendous emotion (and physical) event is not a good thing, not to mention the daily reminder to the poor woman of the result of her rapist - something who will look into her eyes every day for the rest of her own life.
Okay so in special cases of rape, you can have an abortion. How many cases of rape do you think will be reported as a result? Don't you think that rape will become the new birth control? "Oh doc, I was raped, I need an abortion". Miss Jones will claim rape rather than admit that Mr Smith got her knocked up during a night of drunken wild sex (which is a good thing but you get my point). So she goes to her doctor and says "I was raped, I need an abortion". Quick abortion, DNC, done. Ready made birth control. BUT, what does the doctor do? If he hears that Miss Jones was raped, does he report it to the local authorities? If he does, Mr Smith will be pulled and testing done and BAM, they'll find out that he's the father and the rapist. But wait, he isn't the rapist, he's just the sperm donor. Does he do time because he's fingered as the rapist? Or does Miss Jones relent and admit she's pregnant because she's stupid. That creates bad blood and the relationship goes south and next thing you know there's another unwed mother in the world.
Bottom line, unless the federal or state authorities can account for EVERY permutation of the many loopholes of overturning Roe v Wade and possibly making abortion illegal (or something close), then you might as well just leave it as it is. Because as you have seen many times in the past, the government should not get too involved in personal issues like this, and cannot without creating a SNAFU the size of the Grand Canyon.
Gearing up for a flaming post from Tilam...
Take a DEEP breath and get ready to spew Thew!
The auto-flush toilet...let it NEVER be said that this blog tackles ONLY esoteric topics, we cover the entire gamut of human existence. But Thew, in his high and mighty wisdom, will not wax upon this subject, as I cannot remember the last time I put my hands on a public toilet; call me an old soccer god, but the foot flushes just as easily as the hand with 1% of the germs. Besides, WHO CRAPS IN PUBLIC bathrooms anyway?! Mrs Thew told me that her arse never touches the seat in a public restroom, she just squats and aims...sort of. (Hey, kinda like...oh, sorry, TMI!) If it ain't the Crown Room, or a high quality hotel, then my poo will not grace the toilet sides - I shall remain a hold out until I can defecate in my own personal loo. 'Nuff said.
Okay, on to other stuff...
Reddick is tired. The bench is not deep, JJ has to play a ton of minutes. And he's showing a little wear and tear this late in the season. If I had to vote for a PotY, well, I'd split my vote - Rudy Gay is, of course, OUT. He is too soft, not aggressive enough. Talent through the roof, OMG, but no killer instinct. Adam Morrison get's my nod over Reddick because he creates a buttload of his own shots with his skill. Reddick gets my nod over Morrison because he is the best pure shooter in the land. And since Tilam is going to badge me until I fall off the fence one way, I'll go with Morrison with a RRCH of a margin.
Let's SLAM Tilam. So Kirby kept his demons quiet during his career? Well, hell, so did Pete Rose. We didn't hear about his gambling problems until AFTER he retired as a full time player. Duh...wtf is your point here? But that aside, I can't think of a person who played with more passion, enjoyment, verve, and treated those around him like friends and family, more than Kirby Puckett. A man who took a chess players body and became an all-star and World Series hero. Regardless of his personal issues, he was a player (and based on his extra-cirriculars, a player in more than the baseball sense of the word) and the baseball world is a sadder and diminished place from his passing.
Michelle Wie...RANKED #3?! Where the HELL did this number come from? She didn't win in Juniors, she hasn't won on the LPGA, and hasn't even MADE THE CUT at a men's event! So she finished in the top ten a few weeks ago, BFD! Her 2nd place standing going into the LPGA last year was followed by a Jason Gore like phenomenal collapse into obscurity on the final day. THAT is not indicative of the 3rd ranked player in the world. My gosh, she's not even in my top 10 LPGA hotties list (hellooooooo, Natalie Gulbis). So as I meander through this topic, I think of two possibilities: either the LPGA FUBARED the rankings because the new commish and her ranking team are a bunch of morons, or they put her 3rd to create controversy, excitement, opinions, and consequently...publicity. Personally, I think they are morons. Now, she MIGHt be ranked #3 in EGO without success and hype without results, much like Bode Miller and this year's Olympics, but #3 in the LPGA? I wonder who she blew tew get almost to tew, it sure wasn't Thew.
Barry Bonds...okay, what Grizzly Adams, no city livin', cave dweller is NOT surprised by this new news of his steroid use?! Jeebus! But here's another point - before he started juicing, he was 400/400 HR/SB already, and had won 3 MVP's. So he was ALREADY a playa. But what happened was the ego went south, and he decided to juice up his power, so that when a fantastic hitter got solid contact, it went yard. We forget that Mark McGwire hit 49 HR's as a rookie in 1988. So he just got bigger and better, but he was already good. Barry Bonds was already at the top of the heap, so to do what he did for the reasons listed in that book is incredible. Does he get into the HoF? Here we go again. I'm going to sit on my personal commode (see above) and ruminate upon this subject until more public information becomes available. But you AGAIn get into the sticky discussion of personality vs performance. If this is true, I'd vote Pete Rose into the HoF before Barry Bonds, because Pete's numbers are pure, he just gambled on baseball. Bonds' numbers are tainted, increased and juiced by artificial means. He would have been a Hall of Famer if he'd just continued at the same pace before 1999. So okay, I'll vote him my asswipe of the week.
On the serious subject of Roe v Wade, I have to pretty much agree with Tilam. How far do government entities (federal or state) intrude into our personal space and physical being has always been a heated debate. Mostly because Tilam and I have known each other for a long time and have had a great many discussions about this over a barley beverage, I have to pretty much agree with him. Sticky subject, very personal, I HATE to get into this in public. Too many time the federales try to intrude upon our very personal decisions, and that chaps my ass. So I'll pass over this one...
The other day I received my SI Swimsuit Issue. You know, maybe it's old age (though I doubt it), but I'm just no longer impressed with that. Too many pictures of skinny, emaciated, not-very-attractive models (well, some of them) - although the cover with all the ex-models was great. Elle, Rachel, Rebecca, they are all healthy and have a proper amount of body, not some 1 piece of bread and lettuce eatin' bulimic bich body. Rachel Hunter has vaulted her way onto my top 10 list...especially if you've ever seen the video for "Stacie's Mom" - woof woof!
Carolina, still at the top of the NHL.
Yankees, still the favorite of the AL East.
T-Wolves, back into the cellar, watch for KG to sulk and the team to miss the playoffs.
Vikings, the poster boys for underachievers.
Okay, on to other stuff...
Reddick is tired. The bench is not deep, JJ has to play a ton of minutes. And he's showing a little wear and tear this late in the season. If I had to vote for a PotY, well, I'd split my vote - Rudy Gay is, of course, OUT. He is too soft, not aggressive enough. Talent through the roof, OMG, but no killer instinct. Adam Morrison get's my nod over Reddick because he creates a buttload of his own shots with his skill. Reddick gets my nod over Morrison because he is the best pure shooter in the land. And since Tilam is going to badge me until I fall off the fence one way, I'll go with Morrison with a RRCH of a margin.
Let's SLAM Tilam. So Kirby kept his demons quiet during his career? Well, hell, so did Pete Rose. We didn't hear about his gambling problems until AFTER he retired as a full time player. Duh...wtf is your point here? But that aside, I can't think of a person who played with more passion, enjoyment, verve, and treated those around him like friends and family, more than Kirby Puckett. A man who took a chess players body and became an all-star and World Series hero. Regardless of his personal issues, he was a player (and based on his extra-cirriculars, a player in more than the baseball sense of the word) and the baseball world is a sadder and diminished place from his passing.
Michelle Wie...RANKED #3?! Where the HELL did this number come from? She didn't win in Juniors, she hasn't won on the LPGA, and hasn't even MADE THE CUT at a men's event! So she finished in the top ten a few weeks ago, BFD! Her 2nd place standing going into the LPGA last year was followed by a Jason Gore like phenomenal collapse into obscurity on the final day. THAT is not indicative of the 3rd ranked player in the world. My gosh, she's not even in my top 10 LPGA hotties list (hellooooooo, Natalie Gulbis). So as I meander through this topic, I think of two possibilities: either the LPGA FUBARED the rankings because the new commish and her ranking team are a bunch of morons, or they put her 3rd to create controversy, excitement, opinions, and consequently...publicity. Personally, I think they are morons. Now, she MIGHt be ranked #3 in EGO without success and hype without results, much like Bode Miller and this year's Olympics, but #3 in the LPGA? I wonder who she blew tew get almost to tew, it sure wasn't Thew.
Barry Bonds...okay, what Grizzly Adams, no city livin', cave dweller is NOT surprised by this new news of his steroid use?! Jeebus! But here's another point - before he started juicing, he was 400/400 HR/SB already, and had won 3 MVP's. So he was ALREADY a playa. But what happened was the ego went south, and he decided to juice up his power, so that when a fantastic hitter got solid contact, it went yard. We forget that Mark McGwire hit 49 HR's as a rookie in 1988. So he just got bigger and better, but he was already good. Barry Bonds was already at the top of the heap, so to do what he did for the reasons listed in that book is incredible. Does he get into the HoF? Here we go again. I'm going to sit on my personal commode (see above) and ruminate upon this subject until more public information becomes available. But you AGAIn get into the sticky discussion of personality vs performance. If this is true, I'd vote Pete Rose into the HoF before Barry Bonds, because Pete's numbers are pure, he just gambled on baseball. Bonds' numbers are tainted, increased and juiced by artificial means. He would have been a Hall of Famer if he'd just continued at the same pace before 1999. So okay, I'll vote him my asswipe of the week.
On the serious subject of Roe v Wade, I have to pretty much agree with Tilam. How far do government entities (federal or state) intrude into our personal space and physical being has always been a heated debate. Mostly because Tilam and I have known each other for a long time and have had a great many discussions about this over a barley beverage, I have to pretty much agree with him. Sticky subject, very personal, I HATE to get into this in public. Too many time the federales try to intrude upon our very personal decisions, and that chaps my ass. So I'll pass over this one...
The other day I received my SI Swimsuit Issue. You know, maybe it's old age (though I doubt it), but I'm just no longer impressed with that. Too many pictures of skinny, emaciated, not-very-attractive models (well, some of them) - although the cover with all the ex-models was great. Elle, Rachel, Rebecca, they are all healthy and have a proper amount of body, not some 1 piece of bread and lettuce eatin' bulimic bich body. Rachel Hunter has vaulted her way onto my top 10 list...especially if you've ever seen the video for "Stacie's Mom" - woof woof!
Carolina, still at the top of the NHL.
Yankees, still the favorite of the AL East.
T-Wolves, back into the cellar, watch for KG to sulk and the team to miss the playoffs.
Vikings, the poster boys for underachievers.
3.07.2006
Maybe All Technology is Not Grand
Over at Slate, Nick Schulz condemns the auto-flush toilet. Warning it is funny enough to soil yourself.
Me: there is a manual button on auto-flushes, Nick! Okay, one could quibble with the accessibility of the thing, but dang: DO THE RESEARCH! Thank God for the blog revolution, so that readers can be totally informed. With reporting like that, he could be on 60 Minutes II. Would that make Tilam the PowerLine of the potty world?
Me 2: I can't believe I blog about this crap.
Me: there is a manual button on auto-flushes, Nick! Okay, one could quibble with the accessibility of the thing, but dang: DO THE RESEARCH! Thank God for the blog revolution, so that readers can be totally informed. With reporting like that, he could be on 60 Minutes II. Would that make Tilam the PowerLine of the potty world?
Me 2: I can't believe I blog about this crap.
A Row over Roe?
South Dakota has passed a law directly challenging Roe v. Wade. (See Captain's Quarters for a start.)
Roe is a funny beast legally. It merges two distinct issues (legal and moral) into one case with passionate feeling on BOTH issues from the right and left. The legal question is whether the "right to privacy" - an unarticulated "right" in the Constitution - is sufficiently enumerated to overcome federalism. That is, is regulation of abortion the right of the federal government or the states? Overturning Roe will not make abortion illegal, it will simply pass the question on to the states.
The moral question is "when does life begin?" "Life" here means when do we become human (or human enough) thus making abortion murder. To this I would add an often overlooked, but to me no less important, question: under what conditions may a government entity to assume control of a woman's body? I think this is important because if you believe that life begins at conception (as oppose to, say, viability or a beating heart) and ban abortion, you force a woman who might not want a child (putting aside for a second the reasons why) to surrender herself for nine months to incubate the child. I have worked hard to try and find an analogy, but I can't.
The legal question, for me, is easy. The "right to privacy" is not a right enumerated in the Constitution and thus cannot serve as a basis for ignoring the Tenth Amendment. ("The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.") This is a state question.
Of course, there has been a whole host of rulings using the "right to privacy" to justify themselves. (Overturning state anti-sodomy laws, for example.) So overturning the basis of Roe v. Wade will have a far greater impact then just on abortion laws. But the negative impact is no reason to retain a fundamentally flawed ruling.
The moral question are trickier. Yours truly believes that a women must retain some "right" to control her body post-conception, but at some point - viability; a beating heart - a women becomes a custodian for a brand new citizen of the United States, with all the rights, privileges and protections that come with that status. The trap that this "logic" springs is where do you draw the line? "Viability" is certainly a squishy concept, but it is generally "viable" at 28 weeks. But at 25 weeks there is a 60% chance that the baby will survive and babies have survived earlier births than 25 weeks.
Using the "beating heart" standard puts you at 9 - 12 weeks or at the end of the first trimester.
Readers know my opinions of the "right to die": I believe in assisted suicide with medical verification of terminal illness from two or more doctors; I believe in the ability of loved ones to withdraw life support, if that is the will of the patient and I believe in some limited ability of a woman to abort her pregnancy, BUT I am open to debate the details. What I abhor is federal government interference with these decisions. While I do understand that government must weigh in on these matters, it should be the government most responsive and accountable to its people - in our system that is the state.
Allowing the states to come up with "solutions" will only further the debate and allow the "right" answer to emerge over time.
So, go South Dakota, it is time to abort Roe.
Roe is a funny beast legally. It merges two distinct issues (legal and moral) into one case with passionate feeling on BOTH issues from the right and left. The legal question is whether the "right to privacy" - an unarticulated "right" in the Constitution - is sufficiently enumerated to overcome federalism. That is, is regulation of abortion the right of the federal government or the states? Overturning Roe will not make abortion illegal, it will simply pass the question on to the states.
The moral question is "when does life begin?" "Life" here means when do we become human (or human enough) thus making abortion murder. To this I would add an often overlooked, but to me no less important, question: under what conditions may a government entity to assume control of a woman's body? I think this is important because if you believe that life begins at conception (as oppose to, say, viability or a beating heart) and ban abortion, you force a woman who might not want a child (putting aside for a second the reasons why) to surrender herself for nine months to incubate the child. I have worked hard to try and find an analogy, but I can't.
The legal question, for me, is easy. The "right to privacy" is not a right enumerated in the Constitution and thus cannot serve as a basis for ignoring the Tenth Amendment. ("The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.") This is a state question.
Of course, there has been a whole host of rulings using the "right to privacy" to justify themselves. (Overturning state anti-sodomy laws, for example.) So overturning the basis of Roe v. Wade will have a far greater impact then just on abortion laws. But the negative impact is no reason to retain a fundamentally flawed ruling.
The moral question are trickier. Yours truly believes that a women must retain some "right" to control her body post-conception, but at some point - viability; a beating heart - a women becomes a custodian for a brand new citizen of the United States, with all the rights, privileges and protections that come with that status. The trap that this "logic" springs is where do you draw the line? "Viability" is certainly a squishy concept, but it is generally "viable" at 28 weeks. But at 25 weeks there is a 60% chance that the baby will survive and babies have survived earlier births than 25 weeks.
Using the "beating heart" standard puts you at 9 - 12 weeks or at the end of the first trimester.
Readers know my opinions of the "right to die": I believe in assisted suicide with medical verification of terminal illness from two or more doctors; I believe in the ability of loved ones to withdraw life support, if that is the will of the patient and I believe in some limited ability of a woman to abort her pregnancy, BUT I am open to debate the details. What I abhor is federal government interference with these decisions. While I do understand that government must weigh in on these matters, it should be the government most responsive and accountable to its people - in our system that is the state.
Allowing the states to come up with "solutions" will only further the debate and allow the "right" answer to emerge over time.
So, go South Dakota, it is time to abort Roe.
King Kirby
I know Thew joins me in mourning the death of Kirby Puckett.
I was in Minneapolis during the World Series in '91 and watched the rabid fervor of the Minnesota fans up close and personal. At the top of the pyramid of worship was Kirby Puckett - and deservedly so. Puckett exemplified "class act" and gave generously to the community - and the community responded in spades to him.
We wish his family the best during these times.
UPDATE: Baseball Crank remembers the good and bad of Kirby. Whatever his private demons, he seemed to keep those hidden during his career. I wish the same could be said of all athletes.
I was in Minneapolis during the World Series in '91 and watched the rabid fervor of the Minnesota fans up close and personal. At the top of the pyramid of worship was Kirby Puckett - and deservedly so. Puckett exemplified "class act" and gave generously to the community - and the community responded in spades to him.
We wish his family the best during these times.
UPDATE: Baseball Crank remembers the good and bad of Kirby. Whatever his private demons, he seemed to keep those hidden during his career. I wish the same could be said of all athletes.
3.06.2006
J.J. Having Problems with the J
In the Duke-UNC game, Dickie V. was talking about the "awful" slump Reddick was in. Since the Miami game at Cameron, here are Reddick's numbers for the last four games:
Opponent FGM TPM PPG
@GT 5-21 1-6 22
@Temple 3-10 1-6 11
@FSU 10-28 4-14 30
UNC 5-21 2-10 18
Total 23-80 8-36 20 (average)
% 29% 22%
Every player has a slump, but Dickie V. was right, Reddick is in a big one (for him). Of course, coming out of it right about now would be good timing, but it goes to the point below about looking tired.
UPDATE: The table above looks like crap and I am too lazy to figure out tables in Blogger. You get the point...
Opponent FGM TPM PPG
@GT 5-21 1-6 22
@Temple 3-10 1-6 11
@FSU 10-28 4-14 30
UNC 5-21 2-10 18
Total 23-80 8-36 20 (average)
% 29% 22%
Every player has a slump, but Dickie V. was right, Reddick is in a big one (for him). Of course, coming out of it right about now would be good timing, but it goes to the point below about looking tired.
UPDATE: The table above looks like crap and I am too lazy to figure out tables in Blogger. You get the point...
Duke v. UNC & Big Ten Thoughts
Saturday, I definitely needed a little rest, so I thought I'd watch Duke/UNC for just a minute at the start of the second half. Like they say, you can't just have one.
What a game. Watching that game two thoughts came up: first is that Duke looked tired. UNC just out hustled Duke and Reddick looked beat. At one point, Dickie V. says, "someone else needs to step up..." and noone did. DeMarcus Nelson made a couple of three pointers near the end to give the Cameron Crazies some hope, but Duke looked emotionally drained. This is not to say they are done, they simple are not, but they need a shot in the arm.
Second, UNC will be scary next year. Roy Williams has really taken this squad of freshmen and molded an Elite 8 team and a potential pre-season Top 3. Of course, there have been disappointments in the past, most notably the Georgia Tech squad that came back intact from the title game in 2004, but you get the impression these guys are different.
On a related matter, the pro sports writers have the Big 10 with as many as seven bids. Huh? With the ACC on having 4? Readers of this blog (Mom and Dad, you know who you are) know that I don't think that losses in the conference season against conference opponents mean as much as most think. That is, I don't believe one or two conference losses makes a trend. But conference wins are the same way. Indiana beating Michigan should not put them in the tourney over, say, Florida State. The ACC and Big Ten should get 5 bids apiece. Further, I would note that the ACC won the Big 10-ACC Challenge (again). I don't think the ACC is as strong this year as some years, but I don't think they are weaker then the Big 10.
Give the extra bid to the SEC who should have 6 bids this year...
What a game. Watching that game two thoughts came up: first is that Duke looked tired. UNC just out hustled Duke and Reddick looked beat. At one point, Dickie V. says, "someone else needs to step up..." and noone did. DeMarcus Nelson made a couple of three pointers near the end to give the Cameron Crazies some hope, but Duke looked emotionally drained. This is not to say they are done, they simple are not, but they need a shot in the arm.
Second, UNC will be scary next year. Roy Williams has really taken this squad of freshmen and molded an Elite 8 team and a potential pre-season Top 3. Of course, there have been disappointments in the past, most notably the Georgia Tech squad that came back intact from the title game in 2004, but you get the impression these guys are different.
On a related matter, the pro sports writers have the Big 10 with as many as seven bids. Huh? With the ACC on having 4? Readers of this blog (Mom and Dad, you know who you are) know that I don't think that losses in the conference season against conference opponents mean as much as most think. That is, I don't believe one or two conference losses makes a trend. But conference wins are the same way. Indiana beating Michigan should not put them in the tourney over, say, Florida State. The ACC and Big Ten should get 5 bids apiece. Further, I would note that the ACC won the Big 10-ACC Challenge (again). I don't think the ACC is as strong this year as some years, but I don't think they are weaker then the Big 10.
Give the extra bid to the SEC who should have 6 bids this year...
3.02.2006
That is Why it is Called Madness
First off, I failed to comment on Thew's post below because...I agree. I think he was/is shocked that such an event occurs. (Psychologists call this "projecting" - since Thew can't let a post go by without some gratuitous smack down, he assumes I can't either. Ooops. I guess THAT was a gratuitous smack down.) Overall, on the Olympics, I do think USA Olympics need to get their collective act together. That fact is, most of the hype just ended up being embarrassing. I also disagree with the pundits who point to the time delay as the ratings problem for NBC. There were simply fewer compelling story lines.
Now on to the real story. The difference between Joe Lunardi and yours truly is that yours truly will not have to contort his logic this morning to justify his past positions. Duke's loss last night was not a shocker. They are tough, but fragile. They just beat FSU (at Cameron Indoor) last time with some home cooked refereeing, so without the zebras to help out Williams...he fouls out.
I will say, what was Coach K thinking? Pulling his team off the field...for safety sake? More like, let's end the humiliation and run and hide.
So, where does that leave us? In truth, no different then yesterday. Barring a total collapse, the four number 1s are UConn, Duke, Villanova and Memphis. How could this change? Losing the last game? A quick out in the conference tourney? Both? Well, the generally accepted 5-8 teams, Gonzaga, Texas, SW and Pitt, are simply not number 1 worthy in my humble opinion. There is a fair chance the Selection Committee will not have a tough choice. I would suspect that there is a 90% chance all the number 1s either win or make it to the championship game of their conference tournaments.
Of course, things could change...that is why they call it madness.
One final note. It is assured that either UConn or Villanova will not win the conference tournament. IF it is a Huskies-Cats final, regardless of the outcome, they each should keep the number one seed.
Now on to the real story. The difference between Joe Lunardi and yours truly is that yours truly will not have to contort his logic this morning to justify his past positions. Duke's loss last night was not a shocker. They are tough, but fragile. They just beat FSU (at Cameron Indoor) last time with some home cooked refereeing, so without the zebras to help out Williams...he fouls out.
I will say, what was Coach K thinking? Pulling his team off the field...for safety sake? More like, let's end the humiliation and run and hide.
So, where does that leave us? In truth, no different then yesterday. Barring a total collapse, the four number 1s are UConn, Duke, Villanova and Memphis. How could this change? Losing the last game? A quick out in the conference tourney? Both? Well, the generally accepted 5-8 teams, Gonzaga, Texas, SW and Pitt, are simply not number 1 worthy in my humble opinion. There is a fair chance the Selection Committee will not have a tough choice. I would suspect that there is a 90% chance all the number 1s either win or make it to the championship game of their conference tournaments.
Of course, things could change...that is why they call it madness.
One final note. It is assured that either UConn or Villanova will not win the conference tournament. IF it is a Huskies-Cats final, regardless of the outcome, they each should keep the number one seed.
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