Midday Musings
After yesterday’s technical melodrama left my head spinning, today feels much more “normal” for this time of year. Thus, I am able to offer my quasi-quick midday musings for your enjoyment and edification.
Replay Madness
So what exactly is the purpose of the “replay monitor” in college basketball, anyway? The use it to delay the game for minutes at a time while they try to decide whether Big Bubba Blunderbutt actually intended to throw the haymaker elbow that knocked out Billy Bob Doubledribble’s teeth, but in cases where replay could actually be constructively used to fix a mistake, they play on. I don’t get it. Actually, I think I DO get it, but it’s incredibly frustrating. Case in point…
UNC-Ashville Gets Homered – The more I think about what went down in this ill-fated contest, the more frustrated I become. First they call a bizarre lane violation on a UNC-Ashville player who, replay clearly showed, did not cross the three point line before the ball left Scoop Jardine’s hand. The fact that Syracuse completely failed to block him out, giving him a clear path to the rebound, was apparently too much for the referee to take. Thus, he rewarded Scoop with two additional free throws, both of which he made. This was the turning point in the game, and it could have been easily corrected with proper use of replay. As if that weren’t bad enough, shortly thereafter, another member of the officiating team inexplicably called the ball out of bounds on UNC-Ashville when, again, as replay unequivocally showed, was last touched (with both hands) by a Syracuse player.
The point, if I have one, is that the rules governing when the replay monitor can and cannot be used in college basketball are incomprehensible, illogical, and utterly worthless. End of rant.
My Old Kentucky Home
If you’ve been paying attention, you will note that four teams from the state of Kentucky remain in the tournament: Western Kentucky, University of Kentucky, Murray State, and the University of Louisville. Tonight’s games will test if Indiana can keep it’s three representatives in the field of 32: Indiana, Notre Dame, and Purdue.
Is VCU The New Butler?
I must admit, I considered VCU a one-hit wonder. After going from First Four to Final Four last year, I didn’t think there was any way they could advance past the first round this year. Well, I watched them play last night, and if I were Indiana or Kentucky, I would be very worried. VCU plays defense like a swarm of gnats. It doesn’t seem like they ought to be able to bother you, but after a while, the incessant buzzing makes you lose your composure.
Never Doubt The Wizard
As is typically the case, one of our contestants has already asked me to double check the score and rankings, convinced that something must be wrong because so-and-so lost basically the same games as so-and-so, and yet they are 65 places apart in the rankings. (Names withheld to protect the guilty. 🙂 ) Listen, I’ve been doing this for 17 years. The scoring system is well-refined, as is the code that computes the standings. I am 100% certain that the standings are 100% correct 100% of the time. Trust me.
Y’All Need Therapy
I was perusing the aliases this afternoon, and I have decided that the Risner Family is in serious need of therapy. There’s infighting among the siblings and in-laws, and somebody apparently believes in Big Foot. Scary.
Quote of the Day
After the first few games today sunk his bracket and mine, perennial contestant Brad “Ay, caramba” Schafer quipped, “I’m beginning to think the seeding committee is populated by sado-masochists with advanced math degrees.” Indeed.
Peek at the Standings
- Grandpa Vince Geistwhite gets the Leader of the Pack award for sole possession of first place as of this writing.
- The And Basketball Loves You award goes to Ashlyn “i love basketball” Little who is tied for 23rd.
- The Back to Reality award goes to Paige Williams, once tied for first, now in 128th.
- The Pretty Color Guessing Gets You Guessing Pretty Good award, sponsored by Loreal, goes to Emily Burris, currently tied for 34th. Because you’re worth it…
Now it’s time to order the Chinese and get back to basketball. Look for the Day Two wrap-up early tomorrow morning.
The Wizard of Whiteland