Go VCU. VC who? VCU Rams that’s who. Just stand back and watch the havoc all the way to New Orleans
3.
Comrade Javamanphil
Go Cats Go! Win that p(l)ay-in game so you get the humiliation pleasure of playing UNC.
4.
The Dangerman
As long as Kentucky goes down, I’m happy (sorry Cats fans, but getting 5 great Frosh, almost all of whom will jump to the NBA after the One and Done, is got good for college ball).
*cough*
I have been rooting for Gonzaga in these situations for more than ten years–at least since 1999 when they made the final 8. And one of these years, it is going to be their turn. It was Butler’s the last two years.
*cough* *end statement*
12.
Mr Stagger Lee
Iona fans need to call the police to investigate the disappearance of the Iona team in the 2nd half of yesterday’s game. Or maybe the Magic underwear of the BYU team was more than we thought. As long as Kentucky, Duke or Syracuse doesn’t win I am cool. Picking Kansas on one bracket, North Carolina on a another.
13.
C J's dad
March Madness. Is this basketball or the Republican primaries?
14.
JPL
My prediction is that a Kentucky team will win tomorrow.
Yup, and it would be cool if my Alma Mater (one of several) Western Ky, got to play Ky wildcats in the next game. Though I also attended UK for some post grad work. Then there is a possible Louisville ./. wildcat match up, that is also cool. Giddy.
16.
4jkb4ia
This is very flat, after that lighthearted comment. And I had something really long written. But I am not going to be around to give John a hard time about that game tomorrow because I am going to be sitting shiva for my mother. She had been getting sicker and sicker for more than 10 years but no one expected it to be this week. I’m very shocked, and I’m very sad. None of you guys would have known it but my mom was such a formidable, forceful presence, even when she was really sick. I don’t think there is much question that I would consider my mom a stronger role model than Hillary Clinton, because my mom had absolutely none of the advantages that Hillary Clinton had had. My mom had polio, and grew up poor, and her father left the family when she was 13, and Brooklyn College saved her. It made her into a real JFK (first candidate she ever believed in)/Clinton/partisan Democrat who believed passionately in the ability of government to provide equity. (One of the sharp memories that I have was going to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and saying that I had no idea what any of them died for, and my mom said, “They died for nothing.” She might have supported Humphrey but she never believed in that war.) It also put her in touch with people who believed in her and sent her on to Pitt to get her first PhD. Absolutely always tell your mom you love them, as John said, and forgive them before they are dead, unless they are a sick child abuser or something.
Also I want to give credit to Rabbi Menachem Tendler, who is the rabbi at my shul, has been for less than a year, and did not know my mom from anything, but came and shoveled earth into the grave until the rabbi who actually did the service told him to stop because others were waiting. This is the act of a real mensch IMHO.
Needless to say this is way too happy a place to be around much at least for the first month[even 538 seems too happy right now], but it is the only site on the Internet that I felt comfortable telling this to.
really sorry to hear about your mom. Lost mine 25 years ago, and it still hurts. Hang in there:)
19.
MikeJ
@4jkb4ia: I’m sorry to hear of your loss, and the loss to all of us of what sounds like a wonderful woman.
20.
Suffern ACE
In honor of Cole, I picked WVU as one of my three dark horses. I am expecting a sweet 16 experience. I know nothing about this sport except that almost all of the Big 10 teams are gone by the 2nd round. I picked other dark horses based on teams that would play Big 10 teams in the 2nd round. In other words, I am an inveterate gambler.
Go Vanderbilt! First televised sporting event I remember watching was the ’65 (Mideast?) Regional finals when the Clyde Lee-led ‘Dores lost a heartbreaker to the Cazzie Russell-led Michigan Wolverines.
That said, don’t pull your typical first round exit, Vandy.
24.
Yutsano
Baruch dayan emet 4b.
25.
Mr Stagger Lee
Looks like Cal doesn’t give a flying f–k, maybe Washington should have been in the first four instead.
Boring, but you get a shot at $100,000 if you pick every game correctly (no one has ever won this money). Men’s brackets (upset bonuses)
This is where the action is baby!!
28.
marv
I don’t care as long as Duke doesn’t win because I’ve made it crystal clear to the alumni foundation they’re not getting my $100 a year unless Kryzyzewski (I’ve always disliked that Coach K bullshit) brings home a championship, and money’s semi-tight this year. (and yeah I had to look up the spelling – it is duke, not harvard.)
29.
MikeJ
@marv: Anything that calls itself either “the ___ of the South” or “the Harvard of ___” is crap.
Two number one seeds on the women’s side are not going to make it to Denver: Duke is going to beat Stanford, and Maryland is going to beat Notre Dame.
I just want Delaware to get to the Elite Eight. Elena DelleDonne is Baylor’s worst nightmare: she’s too big for anyone other than Griner to guard, and Griner can’t defend anybody if she has to go out to the three-point line to do it.
33.
MikeJ
@burnspbesq: I already told you that Kansas can’t win because les tigres du Missouri are going to win before moving to the SEC.
Depends on matchups. If Mizzou has to play Carolina, they are dead. They aren’t big enough to deal with Zeller and Henson.
36.
Angela
@4jkb4ia: I’m sorry to read about the loss of your mother and it gives me hope to read more about her and her life.
I had one of those sick abusive mom types, I’ve forgiven her and I choose to not have much to do with her or my abusive father. A call now and then does it for me.
But I love to read or listen to the stories of those who had more, gives me hope and lets me know love is real. Thank you for taking the time and energy to write.
March Madness is a big fuckin’ deal in my house now. My 18, 20 and 21 year old sons have filled out their brackets, I just finished mine (and I checked it with Obama’s) and my husband is keeping his secret until every else has turned theirs in. We’ll both take tomorrow afternoon off, and me and Mr A will be at our favorite sports bar enjoying our annual spring event.
37.
dead existentialist
@MikeJ: Ha!
You foresee a KU-MU match-up in the final?
(Danny Manning is on the bench. And OU ain’t even in the mix.)
My mom would have loved that. Thought the Big 10 was the most overrated conference ever and the people in charge didn’t even know how to count.
42.
dead existentialist
@MikeJ: Wait a sec. They’re both #2’s in the bottom sides of the brackets. They actually could end up playing for the title.
But Gawd doesn’t lurve us enuf for that to happen.
(Damn, what a way to end the “Border War” that would be! Lawrence would get sacked again when the ‘Hawks won.)
(ETA: And it’d be done by the local populace, not by some Missourian toughs.)
43.
MikeJ
@dead existentialist: Yeah, the whole border war thing is pretty shameful on the mizzou side. But since I’m not in hohumbia and don’t have to put up with it I can cheer for them from a distance.
PaulW
GO BULLS!
Janet in Virginia
Go VCU. VC who? VCU Rams that’s who. Just stand back and watch the havoc all the way to New Orleans
Comrade Javamanphil
Go Cats Go! Win that p(l)ay-in game so you get the
humiliationpleasure of playing UNC.The Dangerman
As long as Kentucky goes down, I’m happy (sorry Cats fans, but getting 5 great Frosh, almost all of whom will jump to the NBA after the One and Done, is got good for college ball).
hoi polloi
I’m boycotting the dance in solidarity with compensated workers everywhere.
Comrade Javamanphil
@hoi polloi: You can always choose to watch the game featuring the Ivy League representative and root only for them.
Clime Acts
ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS ALL THE WAY.
Bob
Go Seminoles!
General Stuck (Bravo Nope Zero)
GO Kentucky!!
fuck the haters
MikeJ
@Clime Acts: Nah, have to go for Mizzou.
4jkb4ia
@Comrade Javamanphil:
Nocera, “Et tu, Harvard?” I myself am completely neutral about the Harvard-Vandy game.
*cough*
I have been rooting for Gonzaga in these situations for more than ten years–at least since 1999 when they made the final 8. And one of these years, it is going to be their turn. It was Butler’s the last two years.
*cough* *end statement*
Mr Stagger Lee
Iona fans need to call the police to investigate the disappearance of the Iona team in the 2nd half of yesterday’s game. Or maybe the Magic underwear of the BYU team was more than we thought. As long as Kentucky, Duke or Syracuse doesn’t win I am cool. Picking Kansas on one bracket, North Carolina on a another.
C J's dad
March Madness. Is this basketball or the Republican primaries?
JPL
My prediction is that a Kentucky team will win tomorrow.
General Stuck (Bravo Nope Zero)
@JPL:
Yup, and it would be cool if my Alma Mater (one of several) Western Ky, got to play Ky wildcats in the next game. Though I also attended UK for some post grad work. Then there is a possible Louisville ./. wildcat match up, that is also cool. Giddy.
4jkb4ia
This is very flat, after that lighthearted comment. And I had something really long written. But I am not going to be around to give John a hard time about that game tomorrow because I am going to be sitting shiva for my mother. She had been getting sicker and sicker for more than 10 years but no one expected it to be this week. I’m very shocked, and I’m very sad. None of you guys would have known it but my mom was such a formidable, forceful presence, even when she was really sick. I don’t think there is much question that I would consider my mom a stronger role model than Hillary Clinton, because my mom had absolutely none of the advantages that Hillary Clinton had had. My mom had polio, and grew up poor, and her father left the family when she was 13, and Brooklyn College saved her. It made her into a real JFK (first candidate she ever believed in)/Clinton/partisan Democrat who believed passionately in the ability of government to provide equity. (One of the sharp memories that I have was going to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and saying that I had no idea what any of them died for, and my mom said, “They died for nothing.” She might have supported Humphrey but she never believed in that war.) It also put her in touch with people who believed in her and sent her on to Pitt to get her first PhD. Absolutely always tell your mom you love them, as John said, and forgive them before they are dead, unless they are a sick child abuser or something.
Also I want to give credit to Rabbi Menachem Tendler, who is the rabbi at my shul, has been for less than a year, and did not know my mom from anything, but came and shoveled earth into the grave until the rabbi who actually did the service told him to stop because others were waiting. This is the act of a real mensch IMHO.
Needless to say this is way too happy a place to be around much at least for the first month[even 538 seems too happy right now], but it is the only site on the Internet that I felt comfortable telling this to.
jo6pac
Who cares, not me for sure.
General Stuck (Bravo Nope Zero)
@4jkb4ia:
really sorry to hear about your mom. Lost mine 25 years ago, and it still hurts. Hang in there:)
MikeJ
@4jkb4ia: I’m sorry to hear of your loss, and the loss to all of us of what sounds like a wonderful woman.
Suffern ACE
In honor of Cole, I picked WVU as one of my three dark horses. I am expecting a sweet 16 experience. I know nothing about this sport except that almost all of the Big 10 teams are gone by the 2nd round. I picked other dark horses based on teams that would play Big 10 teams in the 2nd round. In other words, I am an inveterate gambler.
Raven
@Janet in Virginia: On his way to Illinois!
Bill in Portland Maine
It’s March. I’m mad.
I hope that counts.
–
WyldPirate
Go Vanderbilt! First televised sporting event I remember watching was the ’65 (Mideast?) Regional finals when the Clyde Lee-led ‘Dores lost a heartbreaker to the Cazzie Russell-led Michigan Wolverines.
That said, don’t pull your typical first round exit, Vandy.
Yutsano
Baruch dayan emet 4b.
Mr Stagger Lee
Looks like Cal doesn’t give a flying f–k, maybe Washington should have been in the first four instead.
Bill in Portland Maine
@Yutsano: Hey! This is a blog. Speak English.
–
Bootlegger
Balloon Juice March Madness pools:
Women’s Brackets.
Only two entries so far, me and Paul. C’mon folks, show the ladies some love.
Men’s brackets (no upset bonuses)
Boring, but you get a shot at $100,000 if you pick every game correctly (no one has ever won this money).
Men’s brackets (upset bonuses)
This is where the action is baby!!
marv
I don’t care as long as Duke doesn’t win because I’ve made it crystal clear to the alumni foundation they’re not getting my $100 a year unless Kryzyzewski (I’ve always disliked that Coach K bullshit) brings home a championship, and money’s semi-tight this year. (and yeah I had to look up the spelling – it is duke, not harvard.)
MikeJ
@marv: Anything that calls itself either “the ___ of the South” or “the Harvard of ___” is crap.
burnspbesq
@Clime Acts:
No chance. Your jayburds couldn’t beat the worst Duke team in the last decade. How do you expect to beat someone who can actually play?
burnspbesq
@Suffern ACE:
“In honor of Cole, I picked WVU as one of my three dark horses”
You’re doomed. The best Canadian player since Steve Nash is going to make WVU disappear.
The logical dark horse is Georgetown. They can guard people, and at this time of year defense wins.
burnspbesq
@Bootlegger:
Two number one seeds on the women’s side are not going to make it to Denver: Duke is going to beat Stanford, and Maryland is going to beat Notre Dame.
I just want Delaware to get to the Elite Eight. Elena DelleDonne is Baylor’s worst nightmare: she’s too big for anyone other than Griner to guard, and Griner can’t defend anybody if she has to go out to the three-point line to do it.
MikeJ
@burnspbesq: I already told you that Kansas can’t win because les tigres du Missouri are going to win before moving to the SEC.
dead existentialist
@marv: LOL’ed in capital letters.
burnspbesq
@MikeJ:
Depends on matchups. If Mizzou has to play Carolina, they are dead. They aren’t big enough to deal with Zeller and Henson.
Angela
@4jkb4ia: I’m sorry to read about the loss of your mother and it gives me hope to read more about her and her life.
I had one of those sick abusive mom types, I’ve forgiven her and I choose to not have much to do with her or my abusive father. A call now and then does it for me.
But I love to read or listen to the stories of those who had more, gives me hope and lets me know love is real. Thank you for taking the time and energy to write.
March Madness is a big fuckin’ deal in my house now. My 18, 20 and 21 year old sons have filled out their brackets, I just finished mine (and I checked it with Obama’s) and my husband is keeping his secret until every else has turned theirs in. We’ll both take tomorrow afternoon off, and me and Mr A will be at our favorite sports bar enjoying our annual spring event.
dead existentialist
@MikeJ: Ha!
You foresee a KU-MU match-up in the final?
(Danny Manning is on the bench. And OU ain’t even in the mix.)
General Stuck (Bravo Nope Zero)
@Bootlegger:
I’m good to go.
MikeJ
@dead existentialist: KU-Mizzou would be more fun than Obama’s Mizzou-UNC, but it will be a final four. They can’t meet in the final, sadly.
marv
@MikeJ:
O I wouldn’t go that far. That part always seemed kind of innocent and endearing to me.
4jkb4ia
@Suffern ACE:
My mom would have loved that. Thought the Big 10 was the most overrated conference ever and the people in charge didn’t even know how to count.
dead existentialist
@MikeJ: Wait a sec. They’re both #2’s in the bottom sides of the brackets. They actually could end up playing for the title.
But Gawd doesn’t lurve us enuf for that to happen.
(Damn, what a way to end the “Border War” that would be! Lawrence would get sacked again when the ‘Hawks won.)
(ETA: And it’d be done by the local populace, not by some Missourian toughs.)
MikeJ
@dead existentialist: Yeah, the whole border war thing is pretty shameful on the mizzou side. But since I’m not in hohumbia and don’t have to put up with it I can cheer for them from a distance.
Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)
Looking forward to the Spartans taking the third game of four from the Suckeyes.
Paul in KY
@Janet in Virginia: I hope UK gets to play VCU. Would be a great game to watch, up & down court, etc.
Paul in KY
@The Dangerman: You go to play with the Freshmen you have, not the Seniors you wish you had ;-)
Paul in KY
@4jkb4ia: Very sorry to hear of your mother’s death. Wish I’d had chance to meet her.
Paul in KY
@WyldPirate: Hoping they can overacheive (for once, or since 65 anyway).
Paul in KY
@Bootlegger: Stay out of the Women’s pool. Best chance I have of winning!
Paul in KY
@Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again): Hoping we match up with y’all (cause it will mean we both made Final Four), but State is a team I’d rather not play.
jake the snake
@General Stuck (Bravo Nope Zero):
I hate the fuckers. Go Tops.
jake the snake
@General Stuck (Bravo Nope Zero):
One a Hilltopper, always a Hilltopper.
B.A. WKU 1975
“The Spirit Makes The Master”
Special One
Shut up NCAA!
Meanwhile, 4-1 for my team… and my new team! We are fantastic.
Be champions.
Paul in KY
@jake the snake: My sister graduated from WKU, class of 84.