Sunday, March 28, 2010

Hoops Ramblings

I have decided to blog about nothing except college basketball during the month of March. If you are looking for pop culture observations, check back in April. If you enjoy college hoops insights sans journalistic integrity, then read on.

  • Before I get to March Madness, I want to update you on the UVa men's basketball team. Tony Bennett came in as head coach from Washington State before this past season. Shortly after he arrived, John Brandenburg -- a fundamentally sound white big man whose game is seemingly perfect for Bennett's style -- transferred to Colgate. Before the first game, talented big man Jamil Tucker took a leave of absence from the team for unknown personal reasons -- he never returned. Near the end of the season, Calvin Baker -- an experienced senior point guard -- left the team for family reasons. Last week, highly touted freshman Tristan Spurlock decided to transfer (he says he wanted to stay but Bennett advised him to transfer) and star sophomore Sylven Landesberg decided to go pro. Landesberg had been suspended from the last three games of the year for academic reasons (apparently he skipped a few art classes), but he did not fail out. He could have returned to the team and school next season, but he dropped out of classes last week. Landesberg is good, but in my opinion he needs at least another year to develop his outside game. Since he was dropped out of school, he cannot test the waters and return to school. I think Bennett will be successful at UVa once he gets his type of players, but it is a little disheartening that 5 key members of the program left before season's end or after the season ended. UVa has a solid class coming in next season, but I expect it to take 3-4 years before UVa returns to respectability. Let's now talk about teams that actually made the Big Dance.

  • March Madness 2010 has been one of the best of all-time. Double digit seeds won 11 games. Two 5-seeds are in the Final Four. Only one 1-seed is in the Final Four. Three buzzer beaters. West Virginia saved the Big East from being vastly overhyped -- the first time I filled out a bracket, I had four Big East teams in the Final Four (I later switched UK in for West Virginia). Speaking of which, everyone's bracket sucks. In a normal March Madness, only about 90% of people will say their bracket sucks (as opposed to 100% this year).

  • I still think 1998 is my favorite March Madness of all-time. This year has probably been just as good or better, but I was on high school Spring Break on the first and second weekends of March Madness 1998 -- my friends and I drank at least ten liters of Mountain Dew each per day, crushed a few boxes of Hot Pockets, and filled out our own bracket on a giant posterboard. We watched just about every game, and it seems like every game was close and there were a few unbelievable upsets every day. My favorite March Madness moment is Bryce Drew's three at the buzzer as Valpo upset 4-seed Ole Miss by one (Valpo also won its second round game against Florida State). 14-seed Richmond upset 3-seed South Carolina. Rip Hamilton hit a fade-away floater in the lane to beat Washington at the buzzer. UK won the title in Tubby Smith's first season.




  • There have been some great storylines in this year's Madness: Butler gets to play in its hometown of Indianapolis for the Final Four. Baylor made the Elite Eight less than seven years after one player murdered another player and the coach tried to cover it up. West Virginia and Michigan State advance to the Final Four without injured point guards. Northern Iowa's Ali Farokhmanesh hit a game-winning three against UNLV then made the ballsiest shot of the tourney against Kansas. Michigan State underachieved during the regular season, but Tom Izzo led the Spartans to their 6th Final Four in the last 12 years.

  • Gus Johnson had another great Madness as an announcer. I am waiting for CBS to realize that Gus should be announcing the Final Four games instead of Jim Nantz. When Jim Nantz tells me that the Masters is a tradition unlike any other, I believe him. He was born to be a golf announcer. Gus was born to announce every close March Madness game. See below for a Gus Johnson soundboard and the video of Gus' best game of the tourney (although the video does not contain some of Gus' best calls from that game).

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Final Bracketology - March 14

1s: Kansas (#1 overall), Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke
2s: West Virginia, Kansas State, Ohio State, Purdue
3s: Villanova, Georgetown, Tennessee, Temple
4s: Maryland, Pitt, Michigan State, Vanderbilt
5s: Texas A&M, Baylor, New Mexico, BYU
6s: Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Butler, Richmond
7s: Xavier, Marquette, Texas, Louisville
8s: Oklahoma State, Cal, Florida State, Clemson
9s: Notre Dame, Missouri, UNLV, UTEP
10s: Northern Iowa, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, San Diego State
11s: St. Mary's, Minnesota, Florida, ODU
12s: Utah St., Siena, Washington, Cornell
13s: Houston, Murray State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State
14s: Oakland, Wofford, Ohio, UCSB
15s: Vermont, Morgan State, North Texas, Montana
16s: Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Lehigh, East Tennessee State, Winthrop, Robert Morris

Last 3 in: Utah State, Minnesota, Florida
Last 3 out: Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Illinois

Monday, March 8, 2010

Bracketology - March 8

Midwest (St. Louis)


1 Kansas

16 Quinnipiac / Lehigh


8 Wake Forest

9 Notre Dame


4 Vanderbilt

13 Murray St.


5 Maryland

12 Arizona St.


3 New Mexico

14 Oakland


6 Xavier

11 Utah St.


7 Louisville

10 Virginia Tech


2 Purdue

15 Morgan St



West (Salt Lake City)



1 Syracuse

16 Vermont


8 Florida St.

9 Missouri


4 Baylor

13 Sam Houston St.


5 Gonzaga

12 Old Dominion


3 Tennessee

14 Wofford


6 Wisconsin

11 Siena


7 Cal

10 UNLV


2 Kansas St

15 North Texas


East (Syracuse)


1 Duke

16 ETSU


8 Marquette

9 UTEP


4 Pitt

13 San Diego St.


5 Texas A & M

12 Cornell


3 Michigan St.

14 Kent St.


6 Butler

11 St. Mary’s


7 Texas

10 N. Iowa


2 West Virginia

15 Winthrop


South (Houston)


1 Kentucky

16 Jackson St.


8 Richmond

9 Clemson


4 Temple

13 Washington


5 Georgetown

12 Memphis


3 Villanova

14 Weber St


6 BYU

11 Florida


7 Oklahoma St.

10 Georgia Tech


2 Ohio St.

15 UCSB


Last 5 In: Florida, Memphis, Arizona St. SDSU, Washington

Last 5 Out: Illinois, Wichita St, Mississippi St., UAB, Ole Miss

Seeds

1s: Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke
2s: Purdue, Kansas State, West Virginia, Ohio St.
3s: New Mexico, Tennessee, Michigan St., Villanova,
4s: Vandy, Baylor, Pitt, Temple
5s: Maryland, Gonzaga, Texas A&M, Georgetown
6s: Xavier, Wisconsin, Butler, BYU
7s: Louisville, Cal, Texas, Oklahoma St.
8s: Marquette, Wake Forest, FSU, Richmond
9s: Notre Dame, Missouri, UTEP, Clemson
10s: Virginia Tech, UNLV, Northern Iowa, Georgia Tech
11s: Utah St., Siena, St. Mary's, Florida
12s: Arizona St., ODU, Cornell, Memphis
13s: Murray State, Sam Houston State, San Diego State, Washington
14s: Oaklnad, Wofford, Kent St., Weber St.
15s: Morgan St., North Texas, Winthrop, UCSB
16s: Quinnipiac, Lehigh, Vermont, ETSU, Jackson St.


Sunday, March 7, 2010

ACC Basketball Awards

The following is Chop Culture's ballot for ACC basketball awards:

1st Team All-ACC
Jon Scheyer - Duke
Greivis Vasquez - Maryland
Malcolm Delaney - Virginia Tech
Al-Farouq Aminu - Wake Forest
Trevor Booker - Clemson

2nd Team
Kyle Singler - Duke
Nolan Smith - Duke
Sylven Landesberg - Virginia
Gani Lawal - Georgia Tech
Tracy Smith - NC State

3rd Team
Ishmael Smith - Wake Forest
Solomon Alabi - Florida State
Chris Singleton - Florida State
Joe Trapani - Boston College
Jeff Allen - Virginia Tech (tie)
Dwayne Collins - Miami (tie)

Player of the Year: Vasquez

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Favors - Georgia Tech

Coach of the Year: Gary Williams - Maryland

Monday, March 1, 2010

Bracketology - March 1

It's March 1 so it's time to talk hoops. I am pleased to announce that Matt Borman has been hired as Chop Culture's resident bracketologist. Matt has been projecting the March Madness bracket since 2006. Over the years, Matt has outperformed Joe Lunardi (ESPN), the New York Post, the Sporting News, SI, and CBS Sportsline, among others.


The results of Matt's final bracket from the last four years are as follows (fourth category is Matt's grade according to The Bracket Project Scoring System (bracketproject.blogspot.com), fifth category is where Matt finished in rankings according to all brackets TBPSS found online):


2006 – 61 teams correct, 25 seeds correct, 45 seeds with in 1 line, 278, 17 of 23



2007 – 61 teams correct, 30 seeds correct, 54 seeds with in 1 line, 297, 2 of 30



2008 – 64 teams correct, 24 seeds correct, 53 seeds within 1 line, 293, 49 of 53



2009 – 64 teams correct, 28 seeds correct, 54 seeds within 1 line, 302, 39 of 60



Matt will project the final NCAA Tournament bracket each week, leading up to his final projections on Selection Sunday (March 14). Without further ado, below is Matt's bracket for this week.

Midwest (St. Louis)


1 Kansas

16 Quinnipiac / Lehigh


8 Northern Iowa

9 Louisville


4 Vanderbilt

13 Murray St.


5 Gonzaga

12 UConn


3 New Mexico

14 Oakland


6 Xavier

11 Illinois


7 Baylor

10 Virginia Tech

2 Purdue

15 Morgan St



East (Syracuse)


1 Duke

16 Belmont


8 Texas

9 Utah St.


4 Tennessee

13 Notre Dame


5 Butler

12 Old Dominion


3 Ohio State

14 Akron


6 Richmond

11UNLV


7 Wake Forest

10 Florida


2 Villanova

15 Coastal Carolina



West (Salt Lake City)


1 Syracuse

16 Stony Brook


8 Florida St.

9 Missouri


4 Texas A&M

13 Sam Houston St.


5 Maryland

12 UAB


3 Pitt

14 Wofford


6 Wisconsin

11 Mississippi St.


7 Cal

10 UTEP


2 Kansas St

15 North Texas



South (Houston)


1 Kentucky

16 Jackson St.


8 Georgia Tech

9 Oklahoma St.


4 Temple

13 St. Mary’s


5 Georgetown

12 Cornell


3 Michigan St

14 Weber St


6 BYU

11 Siena


7 Clemson

10 Marquette


2 West Virginia

15 UCSB


Last 5 In: UAB, Illinois, UConn, Notre Dame, St. Mary’s

Last 5 Out: Dayton, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Washington


*Conference champions in bold


Seeds only version:

1s: Kansas, Syracuse, Duke, Kentucky

2s: Purdue, Kansas State, Villanova, West Virginia

3s: New Mexico, Pitt, Ohio State, Michigan State

4s: Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Temple

5s: Gonzaga, Maryland, Butler, Georgetown

6s: Xavier, Wisconsin, Richmond, BYU

7s: Baylor, Cal, Wake Forest, Clemson

8s: Northern Iowa, Florida State, Texas, Georgia Tech

9s: Louisville, Missouri, Utah State, Oklahoma State

10s: Virginia Tech, UTEP, Florida, Marquette

11s: Illinois, Mississippi State, UNLV, Siena

12s: UConn, UAB, Old Dominion, Cornell

13s: Murray State, Sam Houston State, Notre Dame, St. Mary's

14s: Oakland, Wofford, Akron, Weber State

15s: Morgan State, North Texas, Coastal Carolina, UCSB

16s: Quinnipiac / Lehigh, Stony Brook, Belmont, Jackson State


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

100 Certainties

My blog turns two years old today. I'm not sure if it's a birthday or an anniversary, but two human years is at least 14 years in blog years. I wanted to do something special for the occasion.

You may recall that I posted a list of 75 Things that Are Certain in Life about two years ago -- it was one of my first posts ever and also one of my most popular (the 12 people that read this blog really enjoyed it). BDF and I created the original list in 2005, and then modified a few things for the 2008 version (we didn't need to modify much because these things are certain). We have come up with 25 new certainties to round out the list at 100. 100-76 are new and 75-1 are exactly the same as listed two years ago. Enjoy and all feedback is welcome.

100 Things That Are Certain in Life

100. "Jersey Shore" is the first TV show ever to jump the shark before its first episode.

99. White people really like stuffwhitepeoplelike.com.

98. Free chips and salsa at Mexican restaurants is always a consideration when deciding where to go out to dinner.

97. Your mom friended me on Facebook. Yeah she did.

96. If you own a Snuggie, and it's not as a joke, and it wasn't a gift, and you're seriously wearing it for warmth and the freedom to use your hands, then I decree that you be locked in a drafty living room for 24 hours with nothing but a box of Snackwells, a crossword puzzle, and a "Murder She Wrote" marathon on USA network.

95. Three things that should be separate: 1) church and state, 2) socks and sandals, 3) cell phone and mp3 player.

94. F_ck you, Jay Leno. F_ck you.

93. I don't find loin cloths all that comfortable, but the Native Americans got it right with the moccasin.

92. The last time "SportsCenter" showed me a good set of highlights without mindless commentary and hackneyed attempts at humor was the same day MTV last played a decent music video.

91. They said I couldn't get through the first 28 years of my life without ironing a single article of clothing, but I proved them wrong.

90. Bill Buckner would be a rich man if he had trademarked his own brand of nutmeg in 1986.

89. I have a sneaking suspicion that Bret Michaels does not really want to find a wife. I'm on to you, Bret.

88. Memo to "The Office": "Wayne's World" called. It wants its "that's what she said" joke back.

87. Tim Tebow is either the most self-righteous athlete of our generation or the most genuine. I can't decide yet.

86. General Tso shared his chicken recipe with a lot of people.

85. It is impossible to overhype "The Wire" when describing the show to someone who has never watched it.

84. Fantasy football is the lowest form of athletic participation. Even in a football video game, you get to call the plays and control the buttons.

83. Never be on time for a surprise party. Be early or late.

82. Of all the men in the world who wear half a can of hair mousse per day, I only trust one: Mel Kiper, Jr.

81. If you wear overalls to a court appearance, then logic suggests that you also eat your own boogers.

80. I used to wear wristbands during sporting events because they look cool; now, I wear them because I have the sweat glands of a man twice my age.

79. It's amazing how many "Jeopardy" contestants are underemployed.

78. Grocery shopping while you're hungry significantly increases your risk of buying Hot Pockets, mini corn dogs, and tater tots. Be responsible. Be an adult.

77. I am bummed that, under a new state law, I can no longer sext while driving unless I'm at a stoplight.

76. Work productivity during the first two days of March Madness is like Tiger Woods' marriage and golf game: subpar (ZING!).

75. If you ever owned a Nintendo, you will never forget the codes for Contra or Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out.

74. An Easter basket without Cadbury Eggs is like a Christmas stocking full of coal.

73. Puffy had something (read: everything) to do with 2Pac’s murder.

72. First 5 minutes of every O.C. episode: cereal and bagels in the Cohen’s kitchen, discussion of how a family crisis was averted, a witty line by Seth. Maestro, cue the theme song.

71. It is impossible to look cool while exiting the back seat of a 2-door car.

70. I want to create a crime scene investigation show to investigate why CBS has 12 crime scene investigation shows.

69. I would not have been able to control my excitement if there had been a Salute Your Shorts: The College Years.

68. No one will ever convince me that Creed is not a Christian rock band.

67. If wearing tights is a requirement of all superheroes, then I am content as a mortal being.

66. Any man who thinks that Friends is funnier than Seinfeld should keep that opinion to himself. Any man who thinks Will & Grace is funnier than Seinfeld should be publicly caned.

65. No matter who wins the Masters, Jim Nantz will call it a “win for the ages.”

64. 1988: Honda CRX & Oakley Razors = cool. 2008: Honda CRX & Oakley Razors = divorced man with a mullet and black jean shorts. But still cool.

63. Anyone who says he or she has never sung along out loud to a Kelly Clarkson song while driving is either lying or doesn’t have a radio.

62. I hate to say it, but Will Ferrell has peaked and is quickly plummeting into Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler territory.

61. If you root for Duke or UNC basketball but cheer for a different school in college football, I have no respect for you and your bragging privileges are void.

60. TNT knows drama, but I have no use for the channel unless it is airing the NBA Playoffs or a 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story.

59. I will support my son’s creative imagination until he puts Dungeons & Dragons on his Christmukkah wishlist. Then I will choose a sport and make him practice that sport 15 hours a day.

58. You know you would do Blanche Devereaux from Golden Girls if no one would find out.

57. The only thing that will keep Travis Henry from impregnating more women is a court-ordered vasectomy.

56. Our brave soldiers didn’t fight for your freedom so you could own “You Got Served” on DVD.

55. If a car has more than two anti-Bush stickers on its bumper, it’s probably either a ‘93 Ford Escort or a ‘94 Geo Prism.

54. You can learn a lot about people from their IM away messages and buddy profiles. Unfortunately, those people are in high school and you are in your mid-twenties.

53. God forbid there is ever a sitcom featuring Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Sommers as a married couple living in a big house with their kids from previous marriages. Wait a minute, this did happen. Worst. Show. Ever.

52. Women say I go to Hooters for the girls. Yeah, I don’t like chicken wings, Philly cheese steaks, burgers, fried shrimp, or seasoned curlies. Oh, and I especially don’t like cold draft beer and being surrounded by 25 big screen TVs showing nothing but sports.

51. No high school clique will ever participate in as many extra curricular activities as the Saved By the Bell crew from Bayside.

50. If you have ever performed a karaoke rendition of “Hungry Eyes,” you do not deserve to sit at my table.

49. No self-respecting person would ever ask the following questions to a co-worker: 1) Is it Friday yet?, 2) Hot enough for you out there?, 3) Are you working hard or hardly working?, 4) Are we having fun yet? NO EXCEPTIONS.

48. Henley shirts (no collar, three buttons—circa 1994) will make a fashion comeback, and I hope I’m alive to see it.

47. No, I didn't watch American Idol last night.

46. The people at Frito-Lay keep wowing me with their new and exciting flavors of Doritos.

45. Under no circumstances shall a man purchase, consume, or physically touch a bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade.

44. Every Thanksgiving, one person in everyone's family will ask why the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving.


43. Reality TV went too far when it introduced competing nanny shows.

42. If you're drinking tea sweetened with Splenda, Sweet 'N Low, or Equal, you aren't drinking sweet tea -- you're drinking lies.


41. Few things in life are worse than realizing Supercuts gave you the “Lloyd Christmas” haircut.


40. If you watch the Full House episode where D.J. oversleeps for the SATs the night before you have an important exam, you will not enjoy a pleasant night’s sleep.

39. "A Shot of Love" with Tila Tequila is a grievous embarrassment to my generation. It has replaced "The Maury Povich Show" as the show I'd least like to watch with my parents.


38. Women over the age of 40 who wear sleeveless blouses are either attractive enough to know they can pull it off or fat enough not to care.


37. Regardless of what context the word “charisma” is used in, I will think of Brad’s horse on Hey Dude whenever I hear it.


36. Jean shorts (jorts) should only be worn under the following circumstances: your name is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin or you work at a rural convenient store that sells Sun Drop and Cheerwine.


35. It is universally known that if you simultaneously cuss, smoke a cigarette, and wear sunglasses inside, you are cool.


34. Chris Rock’s stand-up is funny, but he will never be in a funny or even watchable movie.


33. If you have ever waited in line at midnight for a new video game system, Harry Potter book, or Star Wars Movie, then chances are you probably don’t get enough exercise.


32. I cannot imagine a scenario in which I would turn down a toasted bagel.


31. If you don’t have a Foxtail or a Nerf product in your garage, you are a Communist.


30. Skip Bayless is the belly button lint of ESPN.


29. No one reads your blog. (BLOGGER'S NOTE: this one is ironic but true)


28. There have been plenty of times when I felt ripped off. But when I found out that Jerry Levine was not cast as Styles in “Teen Wolf Too” I felt like I got the wind knocked out of me. Stuart Fratkin? Are you freakin' kidding me?


27. If you didn’t swallow and/or throw up your first dip, you are a better man than I had previously assumed.


26. To qualify as a huge reggae fan, you must own more than just Bob Marley’s Legend album.


25. TGIF was on life support for several years beforehand, but the pilot of Sabrina the Teenage Witch constituted assisted suicide on our beloved Friday night lineup.


24. Steve Winwood's 1986 album “Back in the High Life” is the ideal background music for any 80s romantic comedy. A couple on the beach, the guy cracks a corny joke about what they've just experienced, the girl rolls her eyes and smiles, and they hug and walk into the sunset. "Finer Things" or “Higher Love” plays as the credits roll.


23. You really can’t blame Ellen DeGeneres for wanting to bone Anne Heche or Portia de Rossi.


22. I'm hoping the next installment of the Real World includes a jock who gets wasted a lot, a sensitive guy, an angry African-American male, a shy girl, a sorostitute, a feminist and a gay dude. I am quite certain that I won't be disappointed.


21. Fruit Stripe gum is by far the best tasting gum for 90 seconds.There must be a way to harness the goodness for a longer period.


20. Punk’d will never get played out…until the second season.


19. Any time a sitcom adds a new character that comes to live with the family after the show has been on the air for 5 or more years, you can count on the show's demise within 2 months. (See The Brady Bunch, Diff'rent Strokes, Cosby Show, and Growing Pains).


18. The following are the only times when a Canadian tuxedo (acid wash denim jacket/jeans, white T-shirt, hi-tops) is appropriate: a Marty McFly look-a-like contest, a Styx/Reo Speedwagon concert, and casual Fridays at the office.

17. The Fray went from being the most underrated band in the world to being the most overrated band in the world in a matter of days.

16. No matter how full I am after a huge holiday meal, I will eat at least one piece of pie followed by a small plate of leftovers before bedtime. Stuffing sandwich, anyone?

15. I will not rest until every state passes legislation making it a misdemeanor to wear a Polo knit shirt under a Polo Oxford. I don’t care where you prepped.

14. The wifebeater is the best name ever for an article of clothing. How did this term become socially acceptable?

13. John Stamos’s hair is the most underrated actor of our generation.

12. Depression is the only possible human emotion that can result from listening to Coldplay.

11. Girls over 25 who still dress punk aren’t really punks. They are just mad at their dads.

10. If you schedule your wedding during college football season, you cannot get pissed when none of your buddies show up. If I am going to miss my team's big game, I need you to guarantee me 6 hours of open bar, an endless supply of crabcakes, and a plethora of single gals ready to party.

9. You might be a redneck if you say “cold beer” as if it’s one word.

8. You assumed Joey would choose Dawson, but were somehow relieved that she ended up with Pacey.

7. People who make up hypothetical rule changes to sports need to stop talking about sports and go back to playing magic cards.

6. Country Music Television (CMT) will play your music video if you wear a cowboy hat, even if your song is more of the “Pop” music persuasion.

5. No son of mine will ever wear Keds or Osh Kosh B’Gosh. Bowl cuts will also be prohibited.

4. I do not possess the proper equipment necessary to scientifically determine who sucks harder – Color Me Badd or All-4-One.

3. It’s acceptable for a true NCAA basketball fan to shed a tear during “One Shining Moment.”

2. Your entire wardrobe should not come from Foot Locker. Enough already with the mesh hats and retro jerseys.

1. No matter how perfect you think your sideburns are, Brandon Walsh’s sideburns wipe their ass with your sideburns.