Hey, sports fans, it's March Madness time again. There was a discussion a couple of weeks ago; now they're ready to go.

A salute to Kevin Goff, who started the previous thread, for touting Kansas. I watched a couple of their Big 12 tournament games and was tremendously impressed by them, to the point of picking them in my pool. Very talented, very versatile, and resilient. In the conference championship game on Sunday they were being beaten like an ugly redheaded stepchild by a very good Texas team, down 32-10 at one point IIRC. They came back and won it in OT. That was one of the best basketball games I have ever seen. Just cancel the NCAA tournament, give the trophy to the Jayhawks, and replay the KS-TX game the rest of the month ;-)

The other team that floored me was North Carolina. Normally I am not a Tar Heels fan because, like most of us I suppose, I like to cheer for the underdog. There is nothing underdog about UNC hoops. They get the best high school players every year (along with Duke, Kansas, UCLA, Arizona, etc.) But I love the way this team plays. They push the ball relentlessly. Ease up for even an instant on defense and they will make you pay. In the semis against Boston College, a top 20 team, Carolina waxed them in no small part due to about 30 fast break points. Speed kills. Making it even more killing, they play 11 deep so can throw fresh players at you in endless waves. What's really awesome is they have started three freshmen and a sophomore all season. They lost some games but may not lose any more. How fun would a Kansas - North Carolina final be?!

Sunday I was away all day and set the fake TiVo to record Kansas vs. Texas and the Big 10 championship game between Ohio State and Wisconsin. I watched them Sunday evening after getting home. As a Big 10 alum and fan the contrast was disheartening. In the first game both teams pushed the ball constantly, slashed to the basket, and in general played above the rim. OSU - Wisconsin was a slugfest with few points and little speed. After the first game it was like watching oxen hooked to a plow. Ohio State, led by superfrosh Greg Oden (evidently a 40 year old freshman) and Mike Conley, Jr., have some talent, but forget the rest of the Big 10. I have no idea why the selection committee took six Big 10 teams, especially after last year's tournament when the Big 10 went down in flames and the so-called "mid-majors" shined. (Shone?) IMO they are living off a reputation they no longer deserve.

If you're doing a pool, take a flyer on Winthrop. They are a 12 seed and are going to bite at least a couple of teams right in the butt. There is no way there are 44 better teams than them.

Enjoy the show! This is my favorite sporting event other than the World Cup, which only happens every four years.