O.K. Magic, Let's just get it over with.

The Orlando Magic are limping through their playoff series with Atlanta, without a real fight. Oh, sure they show up, but where is the intensity and fight they have shown in previous years? Last night they shot 9% from the three point line. That is not a misprint! Nine percent. A high school team could have done better. I almost could shoot 9% if no one was guarding me and many times the looks that they got were open. The Magic would miss on their end and Atlanta would come down and hit an open shot. The Magic defense tightened up later in the game, but where were the sharp shooters from Orlando, when they had the ball in their hands. I just looked at my wife and said, I hope they get this over quickly, so we can get on to the real playoffs, Boston and the Heat or the Bulls.  So, to the Magic, just let this end quickly, so that I can quit hoping that somehow you all will regroup and make another run this year. If you don't have the desire against Atlanta, how will you ever find it against the better teams in the east.

Red Sox are they getting bangs for their bucks.

A few years back I was one of those people that rooted for  Boston to win the World Series and break the. " Curse of the Bambino". It was the lowly Red Sox taking one from the Darth Vader of sports the hated Yankees. Today the Sox are just like the Yankees in that they are out there buying a championship. I know that is the rules, but when you have been a Pittsburgh Pirate fan your whole life, it doesn't  make it easier to accept. When you look at today's standing and the payrolls, the Pirates are getting much more for their money then the BoSox and I can't help but laugh. Pittsburgh's total payroll is $35 million and Boston's is $162 million. The cost per victory for the Pirates five wins is $7 million and for the Red Sox it is $81 million for their two wins. I realize that it is very early and the Pirates will loose more games then they win this year and the Red Sox will contend for the championship of baseball, but I can't help and have a little chuckle as the Sox fans wring their hands in worry. At least I have no expectations for the Bucs.  

You have to love the NCAA basketball tournament!

My bracket is shot to hell, but I don't care. This is the best show in all of sports. They call it March Maddness for a reason. It is one and done, not a seven game series. Do you think VCU could beat Kansas in a series? In one game the emotions can carry a team to victory. I love the NBA but usually the best team prevails over the length of the playoffs. I am now going to root for VCU, however if Butler wins I won't be too upset. Kentucky and UConn have had their time in the spotlight. VCU and Butler deserve theirs.

Second round results.

O.K. the second round is complete and I am 26-6. I'll take it, although I would like to be 32-0. I missed Marquette beating Xavier, Michigan over Tennessee, Arizona beating Memphis, Morehead over Louisville, VCU over Georgetown and Kansas St over Utah St. The ones I picked that I liked were Richmond over Vanderbuilt and Gonzaga over St. Johns. The Big East has already lost St. Johns, Villanova, Louisville and Georgetown and more will go out this weekend and a couple of games will feature two Big East teams against each other. Looking forward to the games this weekend as we go down to the Sweet Sixteen. March Madness the best time of the year. Let me know how you are doing.

Make your picks

Alright everyone, the time has come to reveal your picks for the NCAA tournament. Use a coin toss, emotions, logic and every other means that you have to tell me your selections from the Elite Eight to your champion. For complete disclosure, part of my choices are based upon my at home Cameron Crazie. I believe in world peace and harmony at home, so Duke is my pick to repeat. Pat agrees. Seriously though I will never dismiss Mike Krzyzewski. He is the best coach and is better at this time of the year. Here is my picks, laugh if your must. East Ohio State plays North Carolina with Carolina advancing to the final four. West is Duke and UConn, with Duke winning to advance. Southwest is Kansas and Notre Dame with Kansas moving on to Houston. Finally Pittsburgh meeting BYU in the Southeast regional with Pitt going to the final four. I have Duke beating Carolina and Kansas beating Pitt. Drum roll please, Duke to repeat as the national champion. I win no matter how the games play out, because my wife will like my picks. O.K. now it is your turn.

My wife, the at home Cameron Crazy.

When we got married 35 years ago, I never would have guessed that my sweet, intelligent and calm wife was hiding a deep, dark secret. Inside, waiting to get out was a Cameron Crazy. Pat is every bit a lady, until the college basketball season begins. Actually not just any college basketball, all though she watches a lot, but Duke basketball. She has to have the game recorded if she is at work. She will not miss a televised game, no matter the occasion. March 8th is our grandson's seventh birthday, and since we will be working that day, we are celebrating this Saturday. Duke plays North Carolina on Saturday. The good news is that the game does not start until 8 o'clock. Thank God, other wise we would be planning the day around Duke. As soon as the last present is opened and the crumbs of cake are being swept up, Pat will be changing into her Duke shirt. The children will be sequestered into a near by room with the door shut, so they cannot hear Grammy, exhorting Duke to victory. To say that she gets whipped into a frenzy is an understatement. Example, a few years ago I made the mistake of pointing out that the referee's call against Duke was correct. The look that I received at that moment still sends waves of panic through me. All you men know the look, that wife's give us. As the game progresses, Pat will go through stages of elation and depression. She screams at the screen and somehow I just know the players and Coach K feel the disturbance in the force. Finally as the final whistle sounds she will slowly return to the loving and caring person we all know. A word of warning to the unknowing that wants to drop by and visit during basketball season, check the Duke schedule. Next year I think I will get a sign for the front yard, " Beware Cameron Crazy Lives Here, Proceed at Your Own Risk."

Duke, back where they belong.

After another frantic weekend of NCAA basketball, the Duke Blue Devils are back in the number one spot in the polls. Duke, under Coach K has been and as long as Krzyzewski is the coach there will be a favorite to win another championship. To all of the Duke haters out there, why. Coach K has always run a clean program. Never a hint of scandal. He gets quality young men and molds them into a winning team the right way. Admit it, the only reason you hate Duke is that they win and beat your favorite teams. That, is what they are supposed to do. Give them credit for doing this the right way. They lost a very talented, freshman, point guard, Kyrie Irving, early in the season. Kyle Singlar is not having his most productive year. What do the Blue Devils do? They go out and win basketball games. Coach K and his talented staff does not accept excuses. They adjust. Quality teaching and coaching makes this look easy, it is not, but it is something Duke does regularly. This takes us back to what I stated earlier Duke is right back where they belong, the number one basketball program in college.