Category Archives: College Basketball Is My First Love

I get so excited for the National Championship game, until I realize that tomorrow I’m going to have to start counting down the days until basketball season once again begins.

While a lot of people complained that there was no stand-out team, I’m celebrating this season for more exciting games than we have seen in quite some time. I also love that this season stumped everyone, even the analysts. Remember when the Texas-UNC game in Dallas Cowboy Stadium was touted as the Game-of-the-Year? Remember Northeastern’s 11-game winning streak, the longest in the country at the time. Remember Northern Iowa beating Kansas (you should, it like, just happened).

This season, no matter what the outcome tonight, will be memorable. But for those of us (like me) who’s teams may have not performed up-to-snuff, “tonight’s the night the world begins again.”

Update, 10:13 p.m. EST: We have a one-point game at the half, ladies and gentlemen.

Update, 11 p.m. EST: Butler is tenacious. A gnat flying around Duke’s National Championship ear. 51 to 47 49 Blue Devils, with 9 minutes left.

Update, 11:04 p.m. EST: I feel like I’m watching a hard-fought, on-the-floor, gym-rat AAU game.

Update, 11:26 p.m. EST: Duke up five with two minutes left.

Update, 11:32 p.m. EST: Timeout Butler, down one with 13 seconds left. This is the best National Championship in a while. Even better than Memphis-Kansas.

Update, 11:34 p.m. EST: Butler can’t inbound, has to use another timeout.

Update, 11:36 p.m. EST: Hayward misses, Duke rebounds with three seconds left. Butler fouls to put Zoubek on the line. He makes first foul shot.

Update, 11:37 p.m. EST: WOW. Zoubek misses second foul shot intentionally. Hayward almost makes half-court launcher. Duke wins its fourth national championship!

If you had told me 10 years ago that Chris Spatola (Duke DOBO, former Army point guard) would be a national champion, I would have asked you what drugs you were one. It’s funny the twists and turns life can take, and the way a journey can bring you down a great road if you just let it. Congrats to Duke, and congrats to Butler. I don’t think anyone lost this game tonight. I think time just ran out. (I know that last part took a sentimental turn, but March Madness is over, and College Basketball is my First Love).

To Keep You Entertained Until Next October

Now I know that this is a near-impossibility, but if you read my Final Four post, I think you’ll agree that there’s a direct correlation between me wanting Brad Stevens to take the Boston College head coaching job and the new rumors that are swirling saying BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo may be sizing Stevens up. Gene is a fan of this blog, clearly:

Blaudschun also suggested that DeFilippo may give Butler coach Brad Stevens a call to gauge his interest in BC’s head coaching vacancy. Stevens’ is obviously a little preoccupied today as his Bulldogs prepare to face Duke tonight in the National Championship. – Brian, BC Interruption

BCI predicts a coach will be named by the end of the week.

Tonight’s the Final Four! And while I’m home for Easter and missing the annual Final Fourties party that me and my college friends have (watch the Final Four, only drink 40s, it’s pretty self-explanatory), I’ve been going through basketball withdrawal for the past few days (a withdrawal that the NIT just couldn’t help), and I can’t wait for tip-off at 6:07 p.m.

First up is Butler-Michigan St. Both of these are five seeds, so there’s no real underdog, unless you consider that Butler’s basically in their backyard and will most likely have the crowd on their side. I’m rooting for Butler, because I think Brad Stevens is hot. Can he be the next coach at BC? I could get on board with that. Oh, he’s married? Nevermind.

Second game is all important, because, as you’ve read, I have West Virginia winning the whole thing. I got a print out of my pool standings at the beginning of the week, and if the Moutaineers are the next national champions, I think I at least tie for first. So, there’s a lot at stake here.

Ok, Clark Kellogg is breaking down the first game as we speak. Will be updating throughout. Go Mountaineers!

Update, 6:10 p.m. EST: “Stop whatever you’re doing folks, because it’s Final Four time.” – Jim Nantz

Update, 6:13 p.m. EST: I really don’t like raised courts. Who invented those? I always think someone’s going to hop right off and break an ankle.

Update, 6:26 p.m. EST: Draymond Green reminds me of what I must have looked like when I was 5’8″ in fifth grade and would play point guard/center in my Catholic School league.

Update, 6:44 p.m. EST: Hayward has to start hitting some shots. 22-20, Michigan St.

Update, 6:46 p.m. EST: And he just did. Michigan State up 24-23 with 3:32 left in the first half.

Update, 7 p.m. EST: Butler ties game at 28! Timeout with 2.5 seconds left in first half.

Update, 7:15 p.m. EST: I feel like the majority of President Obama’s day is spent playing basketball, watching basketball or filling out his bracket. Clark Kellogg’s interview just gave me a flashback to Brian Williams’ special.

Update, 7:24 p.m. EST: Second half is underway! Michigan State goes up 3.

Update, 7:28 p.m. EST: Ok Michigan State, relax on the fouls. You need your starters.

Update, 7:44 p.m. EST: Butler takes largest lead of the game, 44-37.

Update, 7:57 p.m. EST: Butler has missed quite a few right around the basket. I hope that doesn’t come back to haunt them. 46-41 Butler with 7:50 left to go.

Update, 7:58 p.m. EST: I like when the Final Four is referred to as the “national semi-final,” like when the Elite Eight round is called the “regional championship.”

Update, 8 p.m. EST: CBS just showed Duke walking into the arena. Mrs. K in head-to-toe blue. The Blue Devils mean business.

Update, 8:07 p.m. EST: PUT THE BALL IN THE BASKET!

Update, 8:12 p.m. EST: I’m in love with the Butler bulldog.

Update, 8:16 p.m. EST: Butler up 4 2 4 with 2:00 left. Down to the wire!

Update, 8:21 p.m. EST: 23 seconds left – Butler up one! This is a GREAT game!

Update, 8:24 p.m. EST: Rebound by Nored, then he’s fouled. At the line shooting two shots. Draymond Green fouls out. I love him.

Update, 8:26 p.m. EST: Refs give Izzo a timeout by accident. Izzo almost pops a cap in somebody. Has to be held back by Green. (NOTE: I’m actually not really sure what happened. Izzo may have been upset about the clock.)

Update, 8:29 p.m. EST: Lucious intentionally misses second foul shot; Butler rebounds. BUTLER WINS!

Update, 8:50 p.m. EST: LET’S GO WEST VIRGINIA!

Update, 9:12 p.m. EST: Watching the West Virginia team be announced, I get why St. John’s needs a coach who will keep the NY talent in NY.

Update, 9:21 p.m. EST: Duke up two at first timeout. CBS went to some weird aerial angle for a good minute and I’m now nauseous.

Update, 9:32 p.m. EST: Duke up 4 with 12:18 left in the first half.

Update, 9:39 p.m. EST: Duke pulls out to a 7 point lead. Excuse me, WV just scored. Duke now has a 5 point lead with 9 minutes left in the first.

Update, 9:48 p.m. EST: Duke now up 10, but I don’t think West Virginia’s going away.

Update, 10:02 p.m. EST: Duke leads West Virginia 39-31 at the half. I would love to hear what Bobby Huggins is saying right now.

Update, 10:37 p.m. EST: Sorry – had to take an Easter egg-dying/cupcake-making break. But I’m back!

Update, 10:50 p.m. EST: I don’t want to lose faith in my Mountaineers, but I also know that Duke’s hard to come back on. And I really hope Da’Sean is ok.

Update, 11:16 p.m. EST: Alright, it’s time to throw in the towel. Definitely going to be a Duke-Butler National Championship game, a game I don’t think anyone could have predicted. Had a great season following the Mountaineers. They accomplished a lot. Now I guess I have to root for the Bulldogs. See you all Monday night!