So close for Notre Dame
I’m sure 2012 RI champ and Notre Dame alum Laura Patterson Hoffman could taste the Notre Dame victory last night, they were so close. So close! But a few missed foul shots, a few great plays from Kentucky, and once again the Wildcats slip off the hook and remain perfect. Notre Dame goes home heart broken. My heart breaks a little for Laura and the other Notre Dame faithful, but then again such is the way of March. It’s a death march. In the way of Highlander, there can be only one. And it’s not over until it’s over. But for Notre Dame, the fat lady is singing. And for Kentucky the dream of the perfect season still lives. Good for the Kentucky players, they showed great heart. But I’d be lying if I said I was rooting for them or the outcome. My heart was with the underdog. And against Kentucky Coach John Calipari. He just comes off as a little too smug for my liking. And perhaps a little condescending. But the game is the game. And on court the Wildcats are still dancing and still the favorite to win it all. A valiant effort by the Irish. They played great, but just couldn’t close it out in the end.
The Badgers are back
For the second straight year the Badgers of Wisconsin have advanced to the Final Four and they will be the next hurdle for the Wildcats of Kentucky. Yesterday, at halftime the showdown between Wisconsin and Arizona looked as though it could go either way, but in the 2nd half Arizona was just outclassed as Wisconsin put on a shooting clinic led by Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker. They were simply unstoppable. Now, onward to face Kentucky carrying with them the hopes of the Milams, Aaron Rodgers and Badger Nation. Perhaps they can succeed where everyone else has failed and they can topple the Wildcats.
2 spots left
The other two regions will be decided later this afternoon as Michigan State squares off against Louisville and Duke takes on Gonzaga to round out our Final Four. Can Duke carry Heather’s heart and bracket into the Final Four or will the Zags prevail and keep alive the hopes of Joel and all the other Gonzaga brackets? Can Kevin keep hope alive for the Marcus Family with his Louisville bracket or will it be Michigan State? Tune in and find out. We’ll know soon.
Dave Kimmel Back on Top
After briefly seeing the leader board on Friday night Dave Kimmel was finally able to park the ghost of Adam Spear’s Audi atop the end of day leader board with the wins from Wisconsin and Kentucky. Adam’s Audi was cool, but I’ll always be partial to his red Pontiac LeMans. I still remember riding with Adam and Joey Hayden (and I can’t remember who the 4th person was) one night from in town in Cambridge to a party over in Hurlock (or somewhere). Good times. The world lost Joey a few years later in a car accident. But he left behind a lot of smiles and laughter by all accounts. I’m always reminded every year during RI time of Andy, Gilly, Joey, and so many others who we’ve lost. Lost in physical form, but not in mind, hearts, or spirit. There they only grow if we feed those parts of ourselves. And I think the best part of doing that is to remember how fleeting it all is and to everyday continue to build our legacy of love, light, and laughter by sharing these things with the world. Any way, like I was saying, Red Pontiac LeMans….great car.
William Hagy and Gordy Dawson have taken over the 2nd spot behind Dave, and then everyone else. Since we’re so close to the action resuming and knowing the whole Final Four, we’ll wait to breakdown all the resulting scenarios until then. So on to today’s quote and jam.
Quote of the Day
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” ― Thomas Campbell
Jam of the Day
cheers,
Greg