March Madness - Day 1 Diary

10:42
Evening Updates:
We have now lost a 3 seed, 4 seed, 2 #6 seeds, and a 7 seed. The Big East has gone 1-3 today. I love March.

UK became the first team in this year's tourney to reach 100, blowing out E. Tennessee St. 100-71. North Iowa nails a 3 with 2 seconds left to beat UNLV. Washington comes back from 15 down and hits a runner with 1.7 seconds left to beat Marquette. Georgetown gets blownout by a team from the state of Ohio that is not Ohio State, UC, XU, UD, or Miami. They got blownout by the Ohio Bobcats. I love March.

My bracket could not be more busted. I LOVE MARCH!!!!!

Kansas is only up 6 on Lehigh at the half. Could the unthinkable happen??? If there was any year for a 16 over a 1 I think it would be this year.

For those who are lucky enough to not be sitting behind a cubicle all day tomorrow, check back in with updates from Reinhart, assuming he manages to get out of bed and can stumble his way out of his vomit filled doorway.


8:15
Greg reporting now, as Brian has decided to continue the assault on his liver during this fantastic four day stretch. And personally, the picture he put up needs to be replaced by a hot girl. So here:

I can't really describe how much I love this day of the year. My bracket is screwed and I am still happy as can be. Unfortunately I was learning how to "effectively work in groups to accelerate change" all day and only caught glimpses of the early exciting games during our 15 minute breaks where 10 men gathered around a laptop to cling to the hope that maybe we would be let out early to watch The Madness. Alas, I pulled into my driveway, on the phone with a friend, when Murray St. hit a jumper to beat Vandy.

The madness has continued into the evening session of games. Luckily though, UK, is not part of that madness. At the half, UK is up 54-26. After a bit of a slow start, the Cats found themselves down 10-9 at the 15:56 mark. Like I said, its now 54-26. That's 45 points in 16 minutes. Not bad. Patterson and Bledsoe both have 15 pts each, John Wall has 7 assists, and Daniel Orton has shown up big with 8 pts, 7 rebs (with 3 TO's).

Also at the half, #3 seed Georgetown is trailing Ohio 48-36. We've almost lost a #2 seed, we have lost a 4 seed, 6 seed and 7 seed. Let the Madness continue...

(How can you look at this pitcure and not smile)

This spot is reserved for the ridiculous things I hear announcers/coaches/whoever say throughout the day:
- "He's got some juice!!" - Raftery after a Robert Morris circus shot.
- "He dragged the puppies.." - Lundquist after a near travel

5:15
Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0. Danero Thomas' 15 foot jumper Murray St puts Murray State as the leaders for most exciting moment so far with the buzzer beater over 4 seed Vanderbilt. A.J. Ogilvy's mustache is a sin. 66-65 was the final score.

Sam Houston State put up a fight against Baylor but eventually ran out of steam losing 68-59.

The Kansas State game is a wash, and the St. Mary's vs. Richmond game literally put me to sleep. Maybe it was the Sandman song that CBS kept playing because apparently Samhan sounds lke Sandman. Or maybe it was because there hasn't been 1 dunk in this game and I am tired of seeing "high IQ players." Every one on the St. Mary's team looks like they belong at a Jonas Brothers concert.

Derrick Character is fat.

2:50 - What a start to the tournament - 3 games, 3 overtimes, and a 1 point game
ODU gives us our first upset of the tourney!! ODU 51, Notre Dame 50. All basketball fans breathe a sigh of relief because we will no longer have to watch the most boring team in the NCAA. Happy trails Luke Harangody.

BYU sends the Gators home 99-92 in double OT. Remember that girl in highschool that you thought was really hot and always had a crush on, but never gave you the time of day? Now she's older has put on a few pounds, looks listless and dull and you're actually really happy she never gave you a chance? That is how I feel about Billy Donovan. 3 years, 1 NCAA Tournament game. 0 victories. Thank you for turning us down, sir.

Villanova and the referees take down Robert Morris 73-70 in OT. The NCAA needs to look at the tape of this game because the refs flat out gave the game to Nova. You won't convince me otherwise. The game did produce a Kerry Kittles reference though. So that's nice.

The next slate of games:
Murray St. vs. Vandy
North Texas vs. K State
Sam Houston St. vs. Baylor
Richmond vs. St Mary's

See ya in a couple hours!


12:40
After what seemed like months of waiting the greatest event in sports is finally here. 32 basketball games. 2 days. 1 very happy boy. The first slate of games has just started and the teams playing are:
Nova vs. Robert Morris
Florida vs. BYU
Old Dominion vs. Notre Dame

I will updating this post with scores, recaps, and anything else I find interesting while sitting on the couch for 4 straight days so be sure to check in early and often.