Down to the Final Four

A week off seems like an eternity between games. I have to admit that I watch no college basketball for 11 months of the year. You wouldn't be able to tell by my ever so accurate selection strategy. For this three weeks though, I tend to watch as much as I can. Even going so far as to subject my kids to watch, "just the last few minutes" before going to get juice after their naps.

A friend from many moons ago was a true college hoops fan. He would watch games through out the year. Taking breaks from games on the weekends to study for his medical exams. Not only did he watch games but he played every chance he got.

Most star athletes have a key to their success. Whether it's an overpowering post game, a magician at passing or a fade-away jumper that no one can touch, all the best have a key to their success. Rob's was his ability to sweat. It didn't matter if it was 5 degrees in the gym, after the first minute he would be a gushing ball of sweat that no one wanted to come near for fear of having a premature post game shower of filth.

Coming down to the final three games we have a few guys to watch and see what their keys are to success. Lets start at the top, the highest ranked team going into the Final Four is the #3 UConn Huskies. The guy that has been so fun to watch is Kemba Walker. All season he averaged just shy of 38 minutes a game and a 43% shooting average and was no slouch on defense. He has done everything for the Huskies.

#4 Kentucky. Sometimes the star on the court is the guy pacing up and down the sideline. John Calapari has brought together a most unlikely group young men and have taught them to play together and play responsibly. Their reward...they win. Calipari has been successful in the past with teams like UMass and Memphis, so it should be no surprise that he has brought another program this far into the tournament.

The #8 Butler Bulldogs have tow guys that lead their squad, Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack. They've both been here before. Last year bringing the bulldogs to the championship game before losing out to Duke in a one point blowout...Butler playing at home in a championship game and losing by 1! Anyway the powers that be thought that there was no way that they would make another run. They lost one of their big three (Gordon Hayward) to the NBA and were left with Mack and Howard. Unfortunately for the all knowing powers that be, Butler paid little attention and is once again within grasp of a National Championship. It will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs do next year when the head honcho, Brad Stevens, gets snapped up by a mid major. We'll see.

The last team to make it in is Virginia Commonwealth. Who? Yeah...me too. I have been known to knock the "first round" games. I have been known to call them by their more appropriate name, the "play in"games. Well this year the tournament organizers through in a little curve ball (appropriate use of the term seeing that the regular season is upon us). Instead of the teams playing for the chance to play the number 1 seed in the conference they threw in a #11 seed. VCU promptly went on to dispatch of Southern California, #6 Georgetown, #3 Purdue, #10 Florida State, and #1 Kansas. So now all they need to do is beat up on a #8 and finish it off with a win over a #3 or #4. I would say it's doable but you've all seen my bracket so take that for what you will.

So even with three games remaining in the tournament, we only have one more game to decide the final order of our bracket. Tied for 11th this year is Mark and Kelly with Dan and Dick tied one point ahead. Elaina and Andrew finish middle of the pack. Jason, Jeff, and myself are currently tied with Pete at 35 points however, Pete has a chance to move up to third with a win by UConn. I would also like to mention that I have won this years game within a game, the Father/Son Challenge by a convincing 35-33 margin. John Bender is this years runner up with the winner of the second annual Godfrey's Employment Memorial Bracket Challenge being Al.

Strange that the guy that the tournament is named after wins this year and the girl that the tournament is named after won last year. I think it's a conspiracy. Well done Al! it must have been all that extra "free time" that you have now that you're retired. Anyway, enjoy the games Saturday. GO BUTLER!