Mr. Rick - Powerhouse or Mid-Major?

At the end of the first week of the Plasticville basketball tourney - Mr. Rick holds a slim but impressive one point lead over the scrappy Tom Green, the Bradley-picking Tom Seymour and yours truly. The question on everyone's lips is whether Rick is a basketball powerhouse who could. . . go. . . all. . . the. . . way, or merely another overachieving Mid-Major whose star was about to dim. So I decided to examine the data and try to determine where the truth lies.

Rick's lead is primarily due to his correct conclusion that Wichita State would win its first two games. It's possible that Rick thought, "Sean Ogirri has hit 45% of his 3's this year. Paul Miller is solid inside, and P.J. Cousinard is due to break out. Tennesse is a very weak #2 seed. I'm taking Wichita." It's also possible that Rick thought, "Hey, didn't Witchita play the Creighton Barrels this year? I'll take them."

So which is closer to the truth? Of course we could ask Rick, but who would take that alternative when rampant speculation is available? So let's look at Rick's other upset picks. Southern Illinois over West Virginia. UNI over Georgetown. Iowa for three rounds. Those sound like heart picks - not head picks.

If any Plasticvillian should have allegiance to the Big Ten - it would be me. I see them play all the time. Kate and I both graduated from Big 10 schools. In 10 or 15 years Madeline and Peter will too. But I didn't take Big Ten teams to go far at all (as an aside, I bet Madeline wishes she could say that right about now). And if there was a Big Ten team with a chance to "make some noise" it sure wasn't Iowa. Illinois maybe. Perhaps Ohio State because of a relatively weak first 3 opponents. But not Iowa! I must admit that Duke to win it all is somewhat logical (though unlikely in my opinion). But you read it here first, if Duke wins Jon Eddy will have charged past Rick into first place. But Duke won't win.

Mr. Rick - overachieving mid-major. Enjoy your moment in the sun.

To Which Rick Responded:

A lead is a lead - not everyone gets to stand on top, even if it doesn't last. Hey, I'm enjoying the time in the sun, that's what any sun-worshipper would like, right?

I will say that CBS seemed to hammer on the Missouri Valley conference during bracket Sunday and probably something that made me look long and hard at those 4 teams making it - yes, a little heart in the selections, but selected the one that I thought could go the farthest. Who thought 2 would go to the Sweet 16? Bradley did beat Creighton (BTW - it's the Bluejays, though they were in a barrel when the Braves beat them in the tourney). And although PJ, Sean, and Paul are key - don't forget the efforts of Kyle Wilson to help the balanced attack! Kyle had a mere 17 points and 5 rebounds if I recall.

I tried to show you allegiance by selecting Big Ten teams (noticed how you already ignored you were also a Big 12 graduate) to win - and I got screwed...probably not as much as Curt did by taking Kansas all the way and giving the Big 12 some support, or false hope. Not sure actually, what came over me in selecting Iowa for as long as I did - that certainly wasn't a "heart" choice!

Although I sense the fact if I wasn't in 1st place, you would be - and that alone is killing you, my friend, huh? And if Duke wins, then the better for Jon to run to the top. Jon's been making a constant climb in the polls all week - he's the silent one, if you hadn't noticed. And for your sake, I hope Connecticut looks better than their escape strategy from Sunday - oh, I guess U Conn is the Plasticville's favorite, so lots of P-town got lucky. Between U Conn and Bradley (though he has them out against Memphis), and the fact he also selected Wichita State - I actually see Mr. Seymour making a run to the top (ahead of you!).

Well, the race is still tight - even at the bottom. Sorry, Andrew, though you might still get out of the cellar thanks to Ohio State. Madeline, I was with you on Ohio State to the Final Four....oh well, we all make mistakes!

Have a good week...and what the heck is Mayor Ween doing in Wyoming????

Madeline Added:

Ohio State? What was I thinking? My new goal is to finish better than last place, but with each game this seems to become less and less realistic. To quote a song by The Weepies that pretty much sums up my situation (and one that my dad keeps singing to me):

Scattered shadows on a wall, you watch the long light fall
Some impressions stay and some will fade
Tattered shoes outside your door, clothes all on the floor
Your life feels like the morning after all year long.

Every day it starts again
You cannot say if you’re happy
You keep trying to be
Try harder, maybe this is not your year.

Movies, TV screens reflect just what you expected
There’s a world of shiny people somewhere else
Out there following their bliss
living easy, getting kissed
while you wonder what else you’re doing wrong

Breathe through it, write a list of desires
Make a toast, make a wish, slash some tires
Paint a heart repeating, beating “don’t give up, don’t give
up, don’t give up.”

Well, this is definitely not my year for basketball picks. But have no fear (or maybe you should be afraid... be very afraid!), I'll be back next year! Even if my basketball picks aren't up to par, I can always take comfort in my excellent taste in music (at least in my opinion, which is really all that matters). On that note, you should all check out The Weepies music if you get a chance at www.theweepies.com. Joe Purdy is another one of my new favorites (www.joepurdy.com). Let me know if you want any more suggestions. I'd probably even send you some cds if you asked me really nicely, after all I have to play up the skills that I do have. It will always be my year when it comes to good music. Good basketball picks are another story...

Good luck to those of you who still have a shot at winning. I'll be rooting for Bradley along with Seymour, GO BRAVES!!!

Seymour pleaded:

would anybody really mind if I change my pick to Bradley over Memfis? Come on. First time this far in 51 years. Let me change. I'm telling ya - if you are going to Vegas put some on the Braves. Lets start a new game and let everybody change before Thursday.

Oh, we will let everyboby change but Art who I can't believe is only 1 stinkin point behind me.

The Heartless Commisioner Responded:

Mr. Seymour,

As the Pool Administrator I'm afraid your request to alter your picks once the event has begun cannot be allowed. Such a move would start the pool down the slippery slope towards anarchy.

However, as Mr. Green has pointed out, you did fail to enter a tiebreaker. Unless I hear objections from interested parties, I hereby declare that if the mighty BRAVES beat Memphis you will win all tiebreakers (conversely, if the Braves stumble, you will lose any tiebreakers. But because you entered nothing you would have lost them anyway. I am extending you this courtesy only because Kate likes you more than she likes me. So I know better than to treat you poorly).

By the way, has anyone other than me noticed that Curt has been quieter than a Kansas farmer waiting for the Braves to come storming over the hill?

Crown Rudolf Interjected:

I'm fine - am getting all the emails both on my mail site AND on the CBS site so I am fully in the loop. Can't vouch for Wally - perhaps he can't keep up with the plethera of mail since he has the attention span of a glorified accountant. I'm sure he is just overwhelmed, nothing more.

We are in Jackson, WY, about to leave for Big Sky, a couple of hours drive away. Weather is wintery here as it is over the Midwest. It is nice to get winter weather as we missed winter this year in DM. PS for Rick - we are out west for skiing, family visits, and sightseeing. The Tetons are spectacular!

As Rick rightly pointed out, you ARE a Big 12 grad and not much has been said about Texas remaining in the tourney. I am looking forward to the Texas/WV match-up on Thursday. Texas is tough and I really have enjoyed watching WV since their tourney run last year. Both teams have great potential so this should be a good game. Texas could sneak through and contend for the championship even though they are not generating much chatter among Plasticvillians.

Madeline - keep the music faith even though you bombed the tourney this year. Not everyone can consistently be in the top echelon year after year like some people I know (or am). Music may be more your bag and is a year-round joy, unlike basketball. I have some suggestions for you - Hovhaness, Sibelius, and Touch (good luck finding this last one!).

I'm on the Bradley bandwagon, having watched the Braves (politically incorrect - let's see, could they change their name to the Omars, or, less obscure, the Generals? Maybe Stan had the right idea - the Pitts) play several times during the regular season and also during the Valley conference tourney. They obviously have a competitive team and could give Memphis fits, especially inside. Bradley's center is a bonafide star.

Rick - the Creighton Barrels - get it? the Crate 'n Barrels? You know, the team whose fight song is "Roll out the Barrels"? Come on - hone your humor cells, get them up to speed, otherwise this group will eat you alive.

Curt - how's the winter wheat crop coming?

Dan - you should take a few more days off.

Seymour - go Generals!

Where's Art?

Wayne

Smoking Out Curt, Who Responded from Mexico:

Dateline--cabo san lucas

While I can tell you about the 100 futbol teams here in Mehico, i have pretty much zero news on the tourney. Plus the business center is in a hallway bathroom and the letters all stickkkk on the damn iternet access. However, a reading of the emails tells me BU is in the final 16. Good for them! I see both P and I are out. But I guess Madeline is too so I feel good about that since she gave me so much kaka last year. big 10 and big12 pretty much suck.

Adios!

Who Says This Tourney Reduces Workplace Productivity? Curt's on vacation, Madeline is a student, and Crown Rudolf is a retired gentleman of leisure.