I’m referring to the Big Dance, aka March Madness, aka the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. My pool picks were in the dumper a week ago, and I frankly had little interest in either Ohio State or Florida, who played last night in the championship game. So SWMBO and I watched 24 on Fox.

As a fan if the game, I’m compelled to salute the Florida Gators, this year’s champion. It’s been since the early 1990′s that a team has won back-to-back college hoop crowns, and the Gators accomplished that feat last night. What was more impressive to me was that they were the first team in NCAA BBall history to win back-to-back championships with the same starting five lineup. In this day, when college kids turn pro at the drop of a hat¹, it’s doubly amazing.

So congratulations, Florida. But next year “Beware of the Phog”.²

-k-
[tags]marchmadness, ncaa, floridagators[/tags]

The Kansas Jayhawks won over the Southern Illinois Salukis 61-58, in a game completed just a few minutes ago, to advance to the round of 8 in this year’s NCAA Men’s basketball extravaganza.

Southern Illinois hails from the Missouri Valley Conference. Generally smaller school schools, going by enrollment anyhow. But schools from the Midwest, where there is no such thing as “give up”. And SIU proved that tonight, and came up a wee bit bit short.

I can now let my fingernails grow out for a day or two. Until Saturday ,to be precise, when the Hawks fly again.

Rock Chalk!

-k-

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